Crested Ibis
NameCrested Ibis
Common NameCrested Ibis
Scientific NameNipponia nippon
FamilyThreskiornithidae
Wingspan (cm)150
Length (cm)75
Weight (g)1750
Plumage DetailsPredominantly white plumage, often with a pale salmon-pink tinge during the breeding season due to preen oil. The head and neck are bare, revealing bright red skin, and it has a shaggy crest of white feathers on the nape. The bill is long, decurved, and black, with red legs and feet.
Vocalization / CallGenerally a quiet bird, but can produce various croaks, grunts, and squawks, particularly during the breeding season or when disturbed.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatswetland, forest
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeHistorically found across East Asia (Russia, China, Japan, Korea), its wild population is now critically endangered and primarily restricted to Shaanxi Province, China, with reintroduction efforts in Japan and South Korea.
Identifying Featuresbare red facial skin, long decurved black bill, shaggy white crest, red legs, white plumage with pale pink wash (breeding)
Description
The Crested Ibis is a large, wading bird characterized by its white plumage, bare red facial skin, and a long, decurved black bill. It typically forages in shallow wetlands, probing for aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates.
