Giant Ibis vs Black-headed Ibis

Thaumatibis gigantea compared with Threskiornis melanocephalus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Giant Ibis Black-headed Ibis
Scientific Name Thaumatibis gigantea Threskiornis melanocephalus
Order Pelecaniformes Pelecaniformes
Family Threskiornithidae Threskiornithidae
Conservation Status Critically Endangered Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 106.6 cm (42.0 in) 70.0 cm (27.6 in)
Weight 3515.0 g (123.99 oz) 1303.0 g (45.96 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 2-4
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Giant Ibis only

Black-headed Ibis only

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

Giant Ibis

Least Concern

Black-headed Ibis

About These Birds

Giant Ibis

102–106 cm. Massive; dark brown with naked grey head; heavy downcurved grey bill; red legs. Critically Endangered; world's largest ibis with fewer than 250 adults. Breeds in Cambodian lowland forests and adjacent Laos. Threatened by logging, hunting, and human disturbance near nests.

Black-headed Ibis

65–76 cm. White with bare black head; black wingtips and neck feathers. Resident across South and Southeast Asia in wetlands, rice paddies, and grasslands. Near Threatened; declining due to habitat loss and hunting. Feeds by probing in shallow water for fish and invertebrates; colonial nester.

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