Sacred Ibis

The Sacred Ibis is a large, mostly white wading bird distinguished by its bare, featherless black head and neck, a stout, down-curved black bill, and black plumes trailing from the rear of the wings, which are visible as a black tuft over the tail. The wingtips also show black, most visible in flight.

This species holds deep cultural significance, having been mummified and worshipped in ancient Egypt as a symbol of the god Thoth, though it no longer breeds in Egypt today. It remains common and adaptable across much of sub-Saharan Africa, including in human-modified habitats.

Key field marks

• White body plumage with a bare black head and neck
• Stout, down-curved black bill
• Black plume tuft over the tail and black wingtips
• Black legs

Similar species

The Australian White Ibis is very similar in shape and pattern but occurs on a different continent; range alone usually separates the two. No native African ibis shares the same bare black head and white body combination.

Habitat

Sacred Ibis use a broad range of wetlands, farmland, grasslands, and even rubbish dumps and urban areas, reflecting their opportunistic feeding habits.

Range and migration

The species is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Iraq, with populations largely resident though capable of local nomadic movements; introduced populations have also become established in parts of Europe, where they are considered invasive.

Behavior

Sacred Ibis are gregarious, often foraging and roosting in large flocks, and are highly adaptable, readily exploiting human-altered landscapes including farmland and waste sites.

Voice

Generally quiet, with occasional low croaking or grunting notes given at breeding colonies.

Feeding

An opportunistic omnivore, it eats insects, small reptiles and amphibians, eggs and nestlings of other birds, and carrion, in addition to typical aquatic invertebrates.

Nesting and breeding

Colonial nester, building stick nests in trees or on the ground on islands, often in mixed colonies with other waterbirds; clutches typically contain 2-3 eggs.