Glossy Ibis – Plegadis Falcinellus – Original Hand-Coloured Lithograph

Engraver: John Gerrard Keulemans
Publisher: L’Imprimerie Nationale
Price: £95
Publication Date: Not dated but c.1876
Format: Original hand-coloured lithograph
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: Sheet Size: 32.5cm x 25cm

Condition:

Original hand-coloured lithograph. Minor age-toning to the margins. In very good indeed, clean condition overall. A rare plate from this important work.

Location: Map Drawer B: FS: Folder JGK 001856

Glossy Ibis: A Brief Description

The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a medium-sized wading bird belonging to the ibis family, Threskiornithidae. Known for its striking iridescent plumage and distinctive curved bill, the Glossy Ibis is a cosmopolitan species, found across a wide range of wetlands and coastal habitats. It is the most widespread ibis species and can be seen in parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.

Key Features of the Glossy Ibis:

1. Appearance:

• Size: The Glossy Ibis typically measures around 55–65 cm (22–26 inches) in length, with a wingspan of about 88–105 cm (35–41 inches). It has a slender build and long legs, which make it well-suited for wading in shallow water.
• Plumage:
  • Breeding Plumage: During the breeding season, the bird’s feathers appear a deep, iridescent chestnut-brown with a striking sheen of glossy green, bronze, or purple on the wings and body, giving it its name.
  • Non-breeding Plumage: Outside the breeding season, its plumage becomes duller, with more brown and grey tones.
• Bill: The Glossy Ibis has a long, down-curved bill, which is typically greyish or brown, and is perfectly adapted for probing soft mud for food.
• Legs and Eyes: The legs are long and dark, and the eyes are generally brown.

2. Habitat:

• The Glossy Ibis favours wetlands, such as marshes, swamps, shallow lakes, floodplains, and river deltas. It is typically found in both freshwater and brackish environments, often near the coast or in inland marshes.
• It is also known to inhabit rice fields, wet grasslands, and sometimes even urban wetlands, demonstrating adaptability to human-altered environments.

3. Diet:

• The Glossy Ibis is a carnivorous feeder, primarily eating aquatic invertebrates such as insects, worms, crustaceans, and molluscs.
• It also consumes small fish, frogs, and occasionally plant material, though animal prey is its main source of food.
• The bird uses its long, curved bill to probe the soft mud in search of prey, often foraging in shallow water.

4. Behaviour:

• Foraging: Glossy Ibises are typically seen foraging in groups, walking slowly through shallow water and probing the mud with their bills. They may forage alongside other wading birds, such as herons and egrets.
• Flight: When flying, they exhibit a graceful flight pattern, often travelling in loose groups or V-shaped formations. Their flight is characterised by steady wingbeats and a slightly curved neck, held straight in flight.
• Vocalisations: The Glossy Ibis is generally a quiet bird, but during breeding season or when disturbed, it may produce low croaking or grunting sounds.

5. Breeding:

• Nesting Habitat: The Glossy Ibis breeds in colonies, often alongside other wading birds such as herons, egrets, and storks. These colonies are usually located in dense wetland vegetation, such as reed beds or trees near water.
• Nest: The nest is a platform of sticks and reeds, built in low trees or bushes, or on the ground in dense marshy vegetation.
• Eggs and Incubation: The female typically lays 3 to 4 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about 21 days.
• Chicks: The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge after approximately 28–35 days.

6. Distribution:

• The Glossy Ibis has a cosmopolitan distribution, with populations found across many parts of the world:
  • In Europe, it is seen in southern regions, especially around the Mediterranean and eastern Europe.
  • In Africa, it is widespread, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Delta.
  • In Asia, it is found from the Middle East to India and China.
  • It has also established populations in Australia and parts of the Americas, particularly along the Gulf Coast and in Central America.
• It is a migratory species in many regions, moving to warmer climates during the winter months. For example, European populations may migrate to Africa or the Middle East during the winter.

7. Conservation Status:

• The Glossy Ibis is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN due to its large global population and wide range. However, like many wetland species, it is vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation, particularly from the draining of wetlands, agricultural expansion, and pollution.
• Conservation efforts aimed at protecting wetlands are crucial for maintaining healthy populations of Glossy Ibis and other waterbirds.

Ecological Role:

• The Glossy Ibis plays an important role in wetland ecosystems by helping to control populations of invertebrates and small aquatic organisms. Its foraging behaviour also contributes to the health of wetland environments by promoting nutrient cycling.

Cultural Significance:

• In some cultures, the Glossy Ibis has symbolic meaning. For instance, in ancient Egypt, ibises were considered sacred birds, and while the Glossy Ibis itself was not revered to the same extent as the Sacred Ibis, it is often associated with the richness of the natural world in the Nile region.

Summary:

The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a beautiful and widespread wading bird, known for its iridescent plumage and distinctive feeding habits. With its cosmopolitan distribution, this adaptable species can be found in wetlands across much of the globe. Its role in maintaining the health of wetland ecosystems makes it a vital species, and its graceful appearance and behaviour continue to captivate birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts worldwide.

John Gerrard Keulemans: A Short Biography

John Gerrard Keulemans (1842–1912) was a prolific and influential Dutch bird illustrator whose work remains celebrated for its accuracy and artistic detail. He was born on June 8, 1842, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. From a young age, he showed an interest in natural history, particularly in birds, and this passion guided him toward a career in scientific illustration.

Early Life and Career

Keulemans studied under Hermann Schlegel at the Natural History Museum in Leiden, where he honed his skills as a naturalist and artist. This connection led to one of his early assignments: joining an expedition to West Africa in 1864 to collect specimens. His work during this period helped him establish his reputation as both a naturalist and an illustrator. He documented various species of birds, adding greatly to the knowledge of African avifauna.

Move to London and Prolific Period

In 1869, Keulemans moved to England, where he would spend the rest of his career. London at that time was a hub of scientific research and publishing, making it an ideal base for an artist like Keulemans. He quickly became a leading illustrator for many of the major ornithological works of the 19th century.

Major Works

Keulemans illustrated more than 100 books on natural history, with his most famous contributions to:

• “The Birds of Great Britain” (1862–1873) by John Gould – Keulemans contributed to many of Gould’s other works, but this publication remains one of the most significant.
• “A History of the Birds of New Zealand” (1873, 1888, 1906) by Sir Walter Buller – Keulemans’ illustrations were essential to the understanding of New Zealand’s birdlife.
• “The Ibis” and “Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London” – leading ornithological journals where Keulemans’ works regularly appeared.
• “The Avifauna of Laysan” and “The Birds of the Hawaiian Islands” by R. C. L. Perkins.

Keulemans’ distinctive style involved the meticulous depiction of birds in natural, life-like poses. His plates were highly detailed, showcasing the nuances of feathers and anatomy, and he often portrayed birds in natural habitats to highlight their behaviour and environment.

Style and Techniques

Keulemans mainly worked in lithography, a printmaking process that allowed for mass production of his artwork while maintaining high-quality detail. He was known for his ability to bring a bird’s plumage and colour to life on paper, despite the limitations of the printing techniques of the time. His method involved working with specimens, either from museums or from field collections, to create scientifically accurate and dynamic illustrations.

Personal Life

Keulemans lived in England for much of his life and married in 1871. He fathered 11 children, though only six survived into adulthood. Despite his immense output and contributions to science, Keulemans often struggled financially, a common challenge for many illustrators of his era.

Legacy

John Gerrard Keulemans passed away on March 29, 1912, in Ilford, Essex, England. His legacy is firmly cemented in the world of ornithological illustration. His works continue to be highly regarded for their scientific value and artistic beauty. Many of his original illustrations are held in museums and private collections, and his detailed depictions are still referenced by ornithologists and bird enthusiasts today.

Keulemans’ work represents an important bridge between the art of the natural world and scientific inquiry, providing invaluable insight into bird species from around the world during a period when photography was still in its infancy. His illustrations remain among the finest examples of ornithological art.

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