# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Straw-necked Ibis](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Threskiornis_spinicollis_-_Centenary_Lakes.jpg&width=800) Photo: JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ), CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Threskiornis_spinicollis_-_Centenary_Lakes.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Pelecaniformes - **Family:** Threskiornithidae - **Genus:** Threskiornis ## 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 - **Mud-Probe Master:** Straw-necked Ibises can detect food hidden underground because their long, curved beak acts like a sensitive probe. - **Locust Legionnaire:** Straw-necked Ibises has an amazing ability to find and feast on huge swarms of locusts, helping protect crops. - **Team Forager:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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. - **Shelter:** [River Red Gum](https://www.snappit.app/explore/river-red-gum) (*Eucalyptus camaldulensis*) — They build large nests in tall trees, often river red gums near water. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Straw-necked Ibis? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Straw-necked Ibis? 60-75 cm ### What is Straw-necked Ibis's wingspan? 100-125 cm ### How much does Straw-necked Ibis weigh? 1.1-1.7 kg ### How long does Straw-necked Ibis live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Straw-necked Ibis move? 55 km/h ### What does Straw-necked Ibis eat? A true Aussie omnivore, they use their long beaks to scoop up insects, crustaceans, and small critters! ### Where is Straw-necked Ibis usually found? Wetlands ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Straw-necked Ibis: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/straw-necked-ibis)