African Sacred Ibis.

African Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)

An adult individual is 68 cm 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. Actually quite an ugly bird.

This bird is usually silent, but occasionally makes some croaking noises, unlike its vocal relative, the Hadeda Ibis, which is very vocal specially when surprised, its call is often equated to what a person would scream if they were afraid of heights. Maybe it is afraid of heights.

It feeds on various fish, frogs, small mammals, reptiles and smaller birds as well as insects. It also probes the soil with its long bill for invertebrates such as earthworms.

Now for a fascinating fact; The African Sacred Ibis has been introduced into France, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, and the United States (S. Florida).

The introduced and rapidly growing populations in southern Europe are seen as a potential problem, since these large predators can devastate breeding colonies of species such as terns. The adaptable Ibises supplement their diet by feeding at rubbish tips, which helps them to survive the winter in these temperate regions.

Here are a few photos…..