We chat with Gleaming Gus, a Glossy Ibis who often steals the spotlight

Bathed in sunlight beside Yala’s River Road, Gleaming Gus the ibis shimmered like a misplaced jewel among the reeds. At first glance, you might mistake him for an ordinary wader, until the light catches his feathers and they ignite into a swirl of emerald, bronze, and violet.

Q: Gus, thank you for meeting us. You’re not exactly a regular in Sri Lanka, are you?

A: I like to consider myself exclusive. I drop by Yala when the mood and the marshes align. Keeps the mystique alive, you know?

Q: Fair strategy. Let’s talk about that incredible plumage. Those metallic greens and purples are

stunning. Do you ever tire of people staring?

A: Not really. It’s nature’s doing, not mine. Most days I’m quite understated, but when the sun decides to make an entrance, I simply respond in kind. I’m not showing off; I’m just well-lit.

Q: You seem to spend a lot of time delicately probing the mud. What’s on the menu today?

A: The usual… crustaceans, insects, perhaps a small amphibian if it’s feeling lazy. My bill’s designed for the job. I’m a precision feeder, not a splasher. Leave that to the pelicans.

Q: Do you prefer solitude or a social scene?

A: Depends on the company. I don’t mind a small, civilised group, but I draw the line at flocks. Too much flapping, too many opinions. I like my wetlands calm and my neighbours quiet.

Q: We hear you’re something of a global traveller. Care to elaborate?

A: Quite right. My kind are cosmopolitan birds, found across Europe, Asia, Africa, and even Australia. Some of us migrate great distances between breeding and wintering grounds. I like to think of it as an annual world tour.

Q: Finally, a message to readers?

A: Yes. Keep your eyes on the wetlands, not just the leopards. There’s more to Yala than claws and roars.And if you love a good photo, make sure there’s still a lagoon for me to stand in. No wetlands, no Gus.Simple logic.

With that, Gleaming Gus lowered his curved bill, caught a glint of bronze on the water, and vanished into the reeds. Rare, refined, and quietly radiant, he is proof that true style doesn’t need to shout.

Often admired for its subtle metallic sheen, the Glossy Ibis is a quietly captivating presence in the wetlands of Yala National Park. Though sightings are uncommon, guests at the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Yala enjoy some of the best chances to encounter this rare and graceful visitor when it arrives in Sri Lanka. Image credit: Mr. Burak Doganasoysal - a guest at the camp.