Ibis Bird

Ibises are commonly referred to as "bin chickens," although they are lovely animals that perform a crucial role in our ecology. Ibises are a species of wading birds with long legs. Ibises and Spoonbills are both members of the Threskiornithidae family. The beaks of these birds are unusual in that they are long, slender, and curve downwards. In this article, we will learn about ibis bird, ibis animal, different types of ibis and their description. 

Ibis Bird

Ibises come in a variety of varieties and can be found in many different countries throughout the world. Each species is unique, with differences in size and colour. The ibis animal is a species of wading bird that lives in warm areas all over the world.

These birds can grow to be over three feet tall when fully grown. However, not all species are that huge, with the majority of birds standing around two feet tall. The majority of these birds have bald heads or faces, with some lacking feathers on their chests.

A group of ibis has many collective nouns, including a "congregation", "stand", and "wedge" of ibises.

Ibis Scientific Name

The ibis bird belongs to the Aves class, the Pelecaniformes order, and the Threskiornithidae family. They are further classified into 12 genera, each of which has 28 living bird species. In both Latin and Ancient Greek, the term "ibis" was the conventional term for this group of birds. The Egyptian term "hab," which means "holy bird," is also related to the word "ibis."

White Ibis India

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The white ibis stands around 2 feet tall and has a 3-foot wingspan. Except for its black-edged wings, it is completely white. When the ibis is at rest, its blackened tipped wings are difficult to discern, but when it is in flight, they are readily visible.

It features a reddish-orange bill that is long and down-curved, as well as a reddish-orange face. Except during breeding season, when they turn reddish-orange, their legs are lengthy and grey. The upper sides of young white ibis are brown, while the undersides are white, and their bills and legs are brown.

Habitat- The white ibis can be found in freshwater, saltwater, and brackish marshes along the coast, as well as rice fields, mudflats, mangrove swamps, and lagoons.

Diet- In quest of food, the white ibis wades in the water, swinging its head from side to side. It hunts for crabs and crayfish in the mud with its large, curved bill. It eats its prey completely and swallows it whole. It may also eat insects, frogs, snails, marine worms, snakes, and small fish while foraging for food on land. White ibis flocks will disperse to different sites in search of food. 

Types of ibis Birds

1.Hadeda Ibis

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The Hadeda Ibis has iridescent purple and green plumage that is grey and partially brown. It features blackish legs and white cheek stripes, as well as a white neck and breast. It has a grey bill with a hint of crimson around the base of the upper bill. Wattled Ibis and White Ibis are two species that are similar

2. Olive Ibis

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The body plumage of this little dusky ibis is iridescent green. It has dark blue tail coverts and a gray-brown head.

3. Wattled Ibis

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Brown plumage, white shoulder patches, and a slender wattle at the base of the bill distinguish the Wattled Ibis. The hadeda ibis is similar to the wattled Ibis, except the latter has white cheek stripes and no wattles, whereas the former has a brown head.

4. Sharp-Tailed Ibis

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The Sharp-tailed Ibis is distinguished by its elongated body shape, glossy black plumage, and short red wattles.

5. Scarlet Ibis

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The scarlet ibis is distinguished by its striking scarlet-red plumage, black wingtips, pinkish-red bill and legs, and dark eyes.

6. Northern Bald Ibis

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The glossy black plumage of the northern bald Ibis contrasts with a bald red crown and face, as well as a curled red beak.

7.  Southern Bald Ibis

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The glossy black plumage of the southern bald ibis contrasts with a bald red crown and face, as well as a curled red beak.

8. Madagascar Crested Ibis

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With a glossy greenish-blue head, red orbital skin, red legs, a yellow bill, and white wings, the Madagascar crested ibis has predominantly brown plumage

9. Australian White Ibis

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With a blackhead, bill, tail, and legs, the Australian white ibis has mostly white plumage. It looks like a black-headed ibis, however, their ranges aren't the same.

10. Black-Faced Ibis

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With a distinctive dark band across the lower breast, the black-faced ibis has a stunning plumage in contrasting colours of grey, buff, brown, and white. It has crimson legs, dark eyes, and a blackish bill. The buff-necked ibis looks similar, but the latter has huge white wing patches.

Ibis Bird Habitat

Except for the islands of the South Pacific, these birds can be found in all warm (usually tropical to subtropical) regions of the world. They like wetlands, but they can also be found in farmland, open meadows, grasslands, and forested places. Although the majority of ibis habitats are at sea level, some ibis can be found in mountainous areas.

In North America, three species of ibis are common: the glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus, Plegadis chihi, and Eudocimus albus. The hadada ibis, for example, is located in Africa. Others, such as the Geronticus eremita (hermit ibis), can be found in North Africa and the Middle East. Threskiornis spinicollis, the straw-necked ibis, is a bird found solely in Australia. Threskiornis aethiopica, the sacred ibis, was adored in Ancient Egypt. The species is now primarily found in Southern Arabia and Sub-Saharan Africa and is no longer present in Egypt.

Diet of the Ibis

Ibises are not picky eaters and will eat almost everything they can get their hands on. Their major technique of hunting is probing mud, sand, and other soft materials for food with their large beak.

Worms, insect larvae, beetles, shrimp, crabs, grasshoppers, spiders, and small fish are among the foods they consume. Algae and water plants are also eaten by some species, but only in small amounts.

Behaviour of the Ibis

Although each species is unique, the great majority of birds are very sociable. Ibises are found in big flocks that spend their time relaxing, sleeping, and looking for food. During the day, they are most active, and at night, they sleep in trees together.

As the breeding season approaches, individual flocks join together to form massive colonies. Some animals mate with the same partner each year, whereas others mate with a different partner each season.

Ibis Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

Ibises live anywhere from 16 to 27 years on average. At least 16 years and four months had passed since the oldest white ibis was discovered in the wild.

Breeding season varies depending on the species, location, and other variables. Individual ibis flocks get together to form massive breeding colonies when it's time to reproduce. These generally peaceful birds become a lot noisier during the breeding season. To attract the attention of potential mates, they make sounds like wheezes and squeaks. Some ibis species mate with the same partner year after year, while others mate with a new spouse each year.

Using reeds, twigs, and grass, the male and female ibis prepare the nest for the eggs. When the eggs arrive — three to five are laid per season on average – both parents take turns incubating them. It takes three to four weeks for the incubation period to begin. Both parents then look after the chicks. The male or female ibis eats and then regurgitates the food back into its mouth. To get the food, the chick reaches its head into the parent's mouth.

Ibis chicks begin fledgling (developing the ability to fly) anywhere between 28 and 56 days after birth. After that, it usually takes another one to four weeks for the birds to be entirely self-sufficient. Some ibis species, on the other hand, stay with their parents for even longer lengths of time.

Interesting Ibis Facts

• Ibis can grow to be 18 to 41 inches tall and weigh 0.6 to 4 pounds. The smallest ibis species is the spot-breasted ibis, while the largest is the giant ibis. Males have a small advantage over females in terms of size.

• Depending on the species, environment, and diet, Ibis can have white, black, brown, grey, orange-red, or pink plumage.

• The orange-red hue of the feathers is due to a diet rich in carotenoid pigments from algae and tiny crustaceans (type of pigments).

• Certain regions of the body, such as the face and throat, are devoid of feathers. During the breeding season, patches of naked skin turn a deep red colour.

• Long neck with a huge, down-curved, pointed beak, roundish body, and long legs with partially webbed feet characterise the Ibis.

• During the day, Ibis is active (diurnal). It spends the night in the woods and bushes.

• Ibis is an omnivorous bird (it eats plants and meat). Fish, frogs, shrimp, crabs, small reptiles, worms, bugs, and small mammals make up the majority of its food.

• The ability of the Ibis to eradicate unwanted insects from gardens and agricultural fields is valued in most regions of the world.

• Ibis is a social bird that feeds, roosts, and nests in colonies of hundreds or thousands of birds. The safety of being part of a group provides protection against predators.

• Foxes, cats, snakes, and huge birds of prey are natural enemies of ibises.

• Except during the breeding season, when they make varied wheezing and squeaking noises, Ibises are quiet birds.

• The female incubates three eggs in a nest among the trees, bushes, or rocks. Both parents are involved in the 20 to 30-day egg incubation process.

• Black, brown, or grey feathers cover the hatchlings. They are born with a bill that is straight. After 28 to 56 days, young ibises depart the nest. They remain with their parents until they have mastered all of the necessary skills to live independently.

• In the wild, Ibis can live for 8 to 15 years, and in captivity, they can live for up to 25 years.

Ibis Population

The population of most ibis species has remained stable. Some species, however, have become endangered, and habitat loss is the primary cause. Commercial logging operations eliminate breeding habitats, resulting in population decline. Wetland habitats are frequently drained for human use, removing secure sites for ibises to thrive. In some locations, the birds are also often hunted, and the extensive use of pesticides may have a harmful impact on their eggs.

For vulnerable species, efforts have been done to improve ibis population levels. The Waldrapp ibis, sometimes known as the bald ibis, was originally listed as severely endangered by the IUCN.

Did You Know?

The Straw-necked Ibis, Glossy Ibis, and Australian White Ibis are the three ibis species found in Australia.

Conclusion

In the summary, we can conclude few points about Ibis:

• While foraging, Ibises utilise their bent, narrow bills to probe into shallow water, mud, or grass. Ibises are flock-living, flock-travelling, and flock-breeding birds. They form diagonal lines or V-formations in flight.

• Only grunting or croaking in breeding grounds, these birds are relatively silent.

• Ibises are a long-extinct species with 60 million-year-old fossil records.

• We can say that Ibises are threatened with pollution and pesticides, hunting and habitat destruction.