Sacred Ibis

Theme area:  El cañón de las aves
Scientific name:  Threskiornis aethiopicus
Class:  Birds
Continent:  Africa
Habitat:  Rivers, swamps, marshes and lakes
Diet:  Piscivorous
Weight:  1.5 - 1.8 kg
Size:  65 - 75 cm
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An unmistakable bird due to its sickle-shaped beak!

It is distributed over most of Africa, south of the Sahara and west of Madagascar. It occupies very varied habitats, although it mainly settles on river and lake banks and in cultivated areas.

The sacred ibis is characterized by its long, downward-curving, sickle-shaped bill and contrasting black and white coloration. The head and neck are devoid of feathers and show a black skin, as well as the beak.

It feeds mainly on invertebrates, although its diet also includes fish, frogs, small mammals... and it even eats carrion.

It lives and breeds in colonies, often in association with other species. It usually makes large nests of branches and sticks on trees. The clutch consists of 2 to 4 eggs that hatch after 28-29 days. Incubation is carried out by both male and female parents.

Conservation status
Extinct
Extinct in the wild
Critically endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near threatened
Least concern
Insufficient data
Not evaluated
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