Spur-winged Goose vs Southern Bald Ibis

The Spur-winged Goose and Southern Bald Ibis can be distinguished by their distinct head features: the Spur-winged Goose has a mostly feathered head, while the Southern Bald Ibis has a striking bald head with a red face. These differences are visible at a distance and are the most reliable field marks.

Head features: Look for the feathered head of the Spur-winged Goose versus the bald, red face of the Southern Bald Ibis. Plumage: Note the black and white contrast in the Spur-winged Goose compared to the darker, iridescent plumage of the Southern Bald Ibis.

The Spur-winged Goose has a mostly black and white plumage with a glossy sheen, whereas the Southern Bald Ibis is predominantly dark with a metallic green and purple sheen, but lacks the white patches.