African Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) In Flight
A wading bird of the ibis family, Threskiornithidae, the sacred ibis breeds in Sub-Saharan Africa, southeastern Iraq, and formerly in Egypt, where it was venerated and often mummified as a symbol of the god Thoth. The African sacred ibis occurs in marshy wetlands and mud flats, both inland and on the coast. It will also visit cultivation and rubbish dumps. The bird nests in tree colonies, often with other large wading birds such as herons. It builds a stick nest, often in a baobab tree and lays two or three eggs. n adult individual is 68 cm (27 in) long with all-white body plumage apart from dark plumes on the rump. The bald head and neck, thick curved bill and legs are black. The white wings show a black rear border in flight. Sexes are similar, but juveniles have dirty white plumage, a smaller bill and some feathering on the neck. This bird is usually silent, but occasionally makes some croaking noises, unlike its vocal relative, the Hadada ibis. It is a common resident in open habitats from wetlands and fields to grassland and offshore islands. It often flies influx in a “V” formation and breeds colonially often with egrets, herons and cormorants. The diet of the Ibis consists mainly of invertebrates and also fish, frogs, small mammals, eggs and chicks, carrion and refuse.
Size: 5184px × 3456px
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Photo credit: © John Porter LRPS / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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