Sao Tome Ibis
Bostrychia bocagei
The Sao Tome Ibis (Bostrychia bocagei) is a legendary ibises and spoonbill found only in São Tomé & Príncipe, weighing about 1.1 kg. The São Tomé ibis, also known as the dwarf olive ibis or the dwarf ibis, is a critically endangered bird that is endemic to São Tomé off the western coast of Central Africa in the Gulf of Guinea.
About the Sao Tome Ibis
The São Tomé ibis, also known as the dwarf olive ibis or the dwarf ibis, is a critically endangered bird that is endemic to São Tomé off the western coast of Central Africa in the Gulf of Guinea. Discovered in the 1800s by Francisco Newton, it was once thought to be a subspecies of the larger olive ibis, but is now classified as a distinct species.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The São Tomé ibis measures 248 mm on its wings, 75 mm on its bill, 52 mm on its tarsus, and 95 mm on its tail, on average. The head is a dull olive color with black surrounding the eyes and the base of the bill. The tectrix (wing coverts) and mantle of the bird are slightly bronzed. Most of the time, the dwarf ibis is silent, but when it is disturbed, it gives off differing coughed grunts. When going to roost, it lets out a harsh honking. Its call could also be described as a stressed Walalalala.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, June, July, August, September, October, with peak activity in August. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Sao Tome Ibis?
- The São Tomé ibis measures 248 mm on its wings, 75 mm on its bill, 52 mm on its tarsus, and 95 mm on its tail, on average. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Sao Tome Ibis?
- The Sao Tome Ibis is a large sized bird weighing about 1.1 kg.
- Where can you see a Sao Tome Ibis?
- The Sao Tome Ibis is endemic to São Tomé & Príncipe, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Sao Tome Ibis?
- The Sao Tome Ibis is most easily confused with the Spot-breasted Ibis, the Olive Ibis and the Wattled Ibis.
- Is the Sao Tome Ibis endangered?
- The Sao Tome Ibis is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Sao Tome Ibis for real
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