[maryvalk]

Sorry for the quality of the photo, but it was taken aboard a boat bouncing up and down in very choppy waters, with the wind blowing 30 mph, and my getting soaking wet. It's the first photo:

http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...urrent=185.jpg

[stevethehydra]

Cranes don't have those long, downcurved bills. Your birds look like White Ibises.

[njlarsen]

Agree on white ibis

Niels

[Bird_Bill]

Agree, White Ibis. Whoopers would show a bit more black on primaries too.

[maryvalk]

Thanks. I've seen a lot of ibises around here, but none had this much red in the face. Does that change with mating? Hmm.

Thanks for your help.

[Bird_Bill]

Originally Posted by maryvalk

Thanks. I've seen a lot of ibises around here, but none had this much red in the face. Does that change with mating? Hmm.

Thanks for your help.

During breeding season, Bare parts, that being legs and bills undergo shift towards red or scarlet. Below is a study done by some folks out of U. of Florida (Gainesville). Abstract is informative, states that female hormones regulate color while the male, not so much so. Have to wonder whats going on with those "guys".

http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.230...id=56038536053

[maryvalk]

Thanks so much for taking the time to find this and post it. Extremely nice of you to do.