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.
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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.
What the Australian White Ibis sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Germany, New Zealand.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
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
Learn the Australian White Ibis for real
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