African Sacred Ibis
NameAfrican Sacred Ibis
Common NameAfrican Sacred Ibis
Scientific NameThreskiornis aethiopicus
FamilyThreskiornithidae
Wingspan (cm)118
Length (cm)70
Weight (g)1350
Plumage DetailsMostly white body plumage with black primary and secondary flight feathers, visible when the wings are spread. The head and neck are bare and black, and there are distinctive black ornamental plumes on the rump and tail.
Vocalization / CallGenerally silent, but can produce a variety of grunts, croaks, and squawks, particularly at breeding colonies or when disturbed.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatswetlands, grasslands, savanna, farmland, coastal areas
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeNative to sub-Saharan Africa and southeastern Iraq. Introduced populations are found in parts of Europe (e.g., France, Italy) and the Arabian Peninsula.
Identifying Featureslong decurved black bill, bare black head and neck, white body plumage, black ornamental tail plumes, long dark legs
Description
The African Sacred Ibis is a medium-sized wading bird characterized by its predominantly white body, bare black head and neck, and long, decurved black bill. They are often seen foraging in wetlands and open grasslands, typically in groups.
