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African Sacred Ibis

african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Names and conservation status
african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Amboseli National Park
african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Nairobi National Park

african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Nairobi National Park
african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Lake Naivasha
african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Lake Naivasha

african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Amboseli National Park
african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Nairobi National Park
african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Lake Naivasha

african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Lake Naivasha
african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Nairobi National Park
african sacred ibis, ibis sacré, ibis sagrado, Nicolas Urlacher, wildlife of kenya, birds
Lake Naivasha

The African sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) is a species of ibis, a wading bird of the family Threskiornithidae. It is native to Africa and the Middle East. It is especially known for its role in the religion of the Ancient Egyptians, where it was linked to the god Thoth.

 

The African sacred ibis occurs in marshy wetlands and mud flats, both inland and on the coast. It preferably nests on trees in or near water. It feeds wading in very shallow wetlands or slowly stomping in wet pastures with soft soil. It will also visit cultivation and rubbish dumps.

 

The species are predators which feed primarily by day, generally in flocks. The diet consists of mainly insects, worms, crustaceans, molluscs and other invertebrates, as well as various fish, frogs, reptiles, small mammals and carrion.It may also probe into the soil with its long beak for invertebrates such as earthworms. It does even feed on seeds.

 

The African sacred ibis is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. The global population is estimated at 200,000–450,000 individuals but appears to be decreasing. It is covered by the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).