White-faced Ibis vs African Sacred Ibis

Plegadis chihi compared with Threskiornis aethiopicus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute White-faced Ibis African Sacred Ibis
Scientific Name Plegadis chihi Threskiornis aethiopicus
Order Pelecaniformes Pelecaniformes
Family Threskiornithidae Threskiornithidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 49.3 cm (19.4 in) 72.8 cm (28.7 in)
Weight 574.8333333333334 g (20.28 oz) 1522.0 g (53.69 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-5 2-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

White-faced Ibis only

None

African Sacred Ibis only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

White-faced Ibis

Least Concern

African Sacred Ibis

About These Birds

White-faced Ibis

The White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) is a medium-sized wading bird of the family Threskiornithidae, closely related to and formerly considered conspecific with the Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus). Breeding adults are distinguished from the Glossy Ibis by a band of white feathers bordering the bare reddish facial skin around the eye and bill base, and by reddish (not grayish-blue) legs. In non-breeding and juvenile plumages the two species are extremely similar, with the White-faced Ibis showing warmer reddish-brown tones and red …

African Sacred Ibis

65–89 cm. White with bare black head and neck; black wingtips; red underwing stripe. Widespread sub-Saharan Africa, Nile Delta, and naturalised in southern Europe and elsewhere. Feeds by probing in wetlands and grasslands for invertebrates. Colonial breeder; associated with ancient Egyptian mythology.

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