African Sacred Ibis vs Black-headed Ibis

Threskiornis aethiopicus compared with Threskiornis melanocephalus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Sacred Ibis Black-headed Ibis
Scientific Name Threskiornis aethiopicus Threskiornis melanocephalus
Order Pelecaniformes Pelecaniformes
Family Threskiornithidae Threskiornithidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 72.8 cm (28.7 in) 70.0 cm (27.6 in)
Weight 1522.0 g (53.69 oz) 1303.0 g (45.96 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 2-4
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

African Sacred Ibis only

Black-headed Ibis only

None

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

African Sacred Ibis

Least Concern

Black-headed Ibis

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About These Birds

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.

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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