About the African Sacred Ibis
The African sacred ibis is a species of ibis, a wading bird of the family Threskiornithidae. It is native to much of Africa, as well as small parts of Iraq, Iran and Kuwait. It is especially known for its role in Ancient Egyptian religion, where it was linked to the god Thoth. The species is currently extirpated from Egypt.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
An adult individual is 68 cm (27 in) long with all-white body plumage apart from dark plumes on the rump. Wingspan is 112 to 124 cm (44 to 49 in) and body weight 1.35 to 1.5 kg (3.0 to 3.3 lb). Males are generally slightly larger than females. The bald head and neck, thick curved bill and legs are black. The white wings show a black rear border in flight. The eyes are brown with a dark red orbital ring. Sexes are similar, but juveniles have dirty white plumage, a smaller bill and some feathering on the neck, greenish-brown scapulars and more black on the primary coverts.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the African Sacred Ibis lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Belgium, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, Netherlands, Poland, Burkina Faso, Greece, Australia, Mali, Mayotte, Denmark, Ireland.
When to see the African Sacred Ibis
Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Straw-necked IbisThreskiornis spinicollisStraw-necked ibises are large birds, around 59–76 cm (23–30 in) long, with a bare black head and a long, downcurved black bill.
Black-headed IbisThreskiornis melanocephalusThe black-headed ibis is one of several large waterbird species in south and south-east Asia, with adults measuring 65–76 cm in length.
Australian White IbisThreskiornis moluccaThe Australian white ibis is a fairly large ibis species, around 65–75 cm (26–30 in) long and has a bald black head and neck and a long black downcurved beak, measuring over 16.7 cm (6.6 in) in the male, and under in the female.
Side by side: African Sacred Ibis vs Australian White Ibis · African Sacred Ibis vs Straw-necked Ibis · African Sacred Ibis vs Black-headed Ibis
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