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UrbanPlatform nestHuge · 1.8 kg
What the Australian White Ibis sounds like
ID tip
The 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. There is some sexual dimorphism in size, as the slightly heavier male weighs 1.7–2.5 kg (3.7–5.5 lb) compared to the 1.4–1.9 kg (3.1–4.2 lb) female. As a comparison, the American white ibis generally attains 1 kg (2.2 lb) in weight. The body plumage is white, although it may become brown-stained. Inner secondary plumes are displayed as lacy black "tail" feathers.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Australian White Ibis
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Australian White Ibis
The map shades 5 countries with regular records, and 2 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Germany, New Zealand.
About the Australian White Ibis
The Australian white ibis is a wading bird of the family Threskiornithidae. It is widespread across much of Australia. It has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long downcurved bill, and black legs. While it is closely related to the African sacred ibis, the Australian white ibis is a native Australian bird. Contrary to urban myth, it is not a feral species introduced to Australia by people, and it does not come from Egypt.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
African Sacred IbisThreskiornis aethiopicusAn adult individual is 68 cm (27 in) long with all-white body plumage apart from dark plumes on the rump.
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.
Side by side: African Sacred Ibis vs Australian White Ibis · Australian White Ibis vs Straw-necked Ibis · Australian White Ibis vs Black-headed Ibis
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