Hadada Ibis

The Hadada Ibis is a large, stocky, grey-brown ibis with a subtle but beautiful iridescent purple-green sheen across the wing coverts, visible in good light. It has a heavy, down-curved dark bill with a red stripe along the upper edge near the base, and a distinctive narrow white or grey stripe across the cheek in some populations.

Despite its relatively plain overall coloring, the Hadada Ibis is one of the most recognizable birds across much of Africa thanks to its extremely loud, raucous call, often given in flight at dawn and dusk, which has made it both a beloved and, to some, a somewhat notorious feature of African urban and suburban life.

Key field marks

• Grey-brown body with iridescent purple-green sheen on the wing coverts
• Heavy, down-curved dark bill with a reddish stripe near the base
• Stocky build and relatively short legs for an ibis
• Loud, distinctive "ha-ha-ha-hadada" call, especially in flight

Similar species

Other African ibises, such as the Sacred Ibis, are largely white and easily distinguished; no other common African ibis shares the Hadada's overall dull brown plumage combined with its unmistakable call.

Habitat

Hadada Ibis are highly adaptable, using savanna, woodland edges, farmland, and increasingly gardens, parks, and urban lawns across their range.

Range and migration

The species is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa and has expanded significantly into urban and suburban areas in recent decades; populations are largely resident.

Behavior

Hadada Ibis are often seen foraging alone, in pairs, or small groups on open lawns and grassy areas, walking steadily while probing the ground, and roost communally at night in tall trees.

Voice

Its loud, nasal "ha-ha-ha-hadada" call, from which the species gets its name, is given especially in flight at dawn and dusk and is one of the most familiar bird sounds across much of Africa.

Feeding

It probes soft, moist soil and lawns with its long bill to extract earthworms and other invertebrates, often relying on touch to locate prey underground.

Nesting and breeding

Hadada Ibis nest as solitary pairs or in loose groups, building stick platforms in trees; clutches typically contain 2-4 eggs.