Straw-necked Ibis

Threskiornis spinicollis

The Straw-necked Ibis is a unique bird known for its long, curved beak and beautiful straw-colored neck. These birds love to wade in shallow waters looking for tasty insects and small fish.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Straw-necked Ibis has an iridescent black body that shimmers with green and purple. Its head, neck, and chest are white, featuring unique stiff, straw-like yellow feathers on its neck. It also possesses a long, slender, downward-curved dark beak.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPelecaniformesFamilyThreskiornithidaeGenusThreskiornis

Straw-necked Ibis

Interesting facts

Although they live near water, they are not strong swimmers and prefer to wade.

Their scientific name, *spinicollis*, literally means 'thorny neck', describing their unique neck feathers.

These clever birds are sometimes called "farmers' friends" because they eat crop-damaging pests.

They often gather in huge groups, sometimes thousands strong, making wetlands look very busy!

Special abilities

Straw-necked Ibises can detect food hidden underground because their long, curved beak acts like a sensitive probe.

Straw-necked Ibises has an amazing ability to find and feast on huge swarms of locusts, helping protect crops.

Straw-necked Ibises often forage in large flocks that helps them find more food and stay safe from predators.

Measurements & details

Length: 60-75 cm
Wingspan: 100-125 cm
Weight: 1.1-1.7 kg
Lifespan: 15-20 years
Top Speed: 55 km/h
Clutch Size: 2-5
Incubation: 21-25 days

Diet & Feeding

A true Aussie omnivore, they use their long beaks to scoop up insects, crustaceans, and small critters!

Primary Foods

insects
spiders
crustaceans
frogs
small fish
molluscs

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Migratory Locust

Locusta migratoria

Devours large numbers of locusts, controlling outbreaks in grasslands.

eats

Striped Marsh Frog

Limnodynastes peronii

Occasionally consumes small frogs found in wetland shallows.

eaten by

White-bellied Sea Eagle

Haliaeetus leucogaster

Large raptors like sea eagles may prey on young or weak ibises.

shelters

River Red Gum

Eucalyptus camaldulensis

They build large nests in tall trees, often river red gums near water.

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.

Filter Feeder

Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.

Insectivorous

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

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.