African Sacred Ibis
Place to admire: Animal Plaza
Scientific name: Threskiornis aethipicus
IUCN-status: Least concern
Habitat
The African Sacred Ibis occurs south of the Sahara Desert to southern Africa. In these areas, the African Sacred Ibis inhabits grasslands, inland wetlands, intertidal areas, coastal areas and artificial (man-made) areas such as wetlands and rural areas.
Diet
The African Sacred Ibis is a carnivore. This means that the bird eats only animal matter.
This bird species feeds on Insects, Frogs, Lizards and small Mammals.
Appearance
The African Sacred Ibis has a size of 65 to 89 centimeters. This bird has long legs and a slender, curved beak. The bald head and neck have black skin. The plumage colors mainly white with black tipped wings, with a green sheen. This bird species has blue-black ornamental plumes, which fall as a tuft over the short tail.
Natural behavior
Because temperatures in Africa can be quite high throughout the day, the African Sacred Ibis has developed a system to dissipate the heat. Namely, this bird species uses ‘gular-fluttering‘. With “gular-fluttering,” the bird opens its beak and “flutters” with its neck muscles. As a result, heat loss occurs.
