Glossy Ibis breed on the East and Gulf Coasts as far east as Louisiana. There is a southern movement in the colder months so sightings are more common in the winter.
In breeding season it is easy to distinguish the White-faced Ibis from the Glossy Ibis. Look for the namesake white feathers on the White-faced Ibis. The glossy will not have this fieldmark. Glossy Ibis have a thin blue-gray border of skin not feathers on the edge of the lores. This light colored skin does not extend behind the eye. This border is visable in all seasons, but is more prominent in breeding season. This mark is visable farther away than you might think.
Mature White-faced Ibis have a bright red eye. Immatures seem to have this eye color by January. From post breeding to January lack of a red eye does not mean Glossy Ibis. If the facial skin is observed it is definative. A bright red eye color is definative, but some White-faced will not have developed it until late winter.
In my experience Glossy Ibis on the UTC will be lone birds. They do not seem to mix in with flocks of White-faced Ibis. (Note: in the spring of 1996 there were several small flocks of Glossy Ibis reported in the UTC, 3-12 birds, and Glossy Ibis mixed in with White-faced Ibis. My lone bird statement above should be taken with a grain of salt, 5/19/96)
Glossy Ibis have been found recently in Anahuac NWR, Brazos Bend State Park, and in several rice fields in Chambers County.
A breeding range map is available form the Breeding Bird Survey
A winter range map is available from the Christmas Bird Count