African Sacred Ibis

Threskiornis aethiopicus

The African Sacred Ibis is a beautiful bird with long legs and a curved beak. It often walks near water, searching for food like fish and insects. These birds are known for their striking black and white feathers.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The African Sacred Ibis has a striking pure white body with distinct black flight feathers on its wings. Its head and neck are bare and black, topped with a long, downward-curving black bill, making it easily recognizable.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPelecaniformesFamilyThreskiornithidaeGenusThreskiornis

African Sacred Ibis

Interesting facts

African Sacred Ibises can swallow surprisingly large meals, including frogs and small snakes!

Ancient Egyptians believed these birds were sacred, even mummifying them with pharaohs!

Its scientific name, 'Threskiornis aethiopicus', means 'sacred bird of Ethiopia'!

Sometimes they follow tractors to feast on worms and bugs churned up by the farming equipment!

Special abilities

African Sacred Ibis can probe deep into soft mud with its long, curved bill to find hidden insects and small creatures.

African Sacred Ibises nest and roost in large groups, which helps them protect their young and find food efficiently.

This adaptable ibis can thrive in many environments, from wild wetlands to busy urban parks, finding food wherever it goes.

Measurements & details

Length: 65-75 cm
Wingspan: 112-124 cm
Weight: 1.3-1.5 kg
Lifespan: 15-20 years
Top Speed: 40 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-4
Incubation: 21-29 days

Diet & Feeding

These omnivores enjoy a varied menu of insects, small animals, and sometimes even human food scraps!

Primary Foods

insects
crustaceans
fish
frogs
carrion
eggs

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Migratory Locust

Locusta migratoria

Helps control insect populations, especially locusts.

eats

Common African Toad

Amietophrynus regularis

Preys on amphibians found in its wetland habitats.

eaten by

African Fish Eagle

Haliaeetus vocifer

A large raptor that sometimes preys on ibis adults or chicks.

symbiotic with

Cattle

Bos taurus

Forages near cattle, eating insects disturbed by their grazing.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Piscivorous

Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.