Threskiornis melanocephalus
The Black-headed Ibis, Threskiornis melanocephalus, is a striking medium-sized wading bird, typically measuring 65-76 cm (26-30 inches) in length with a wingspan of 110-125 cm (43-49 inches). It is characterized by its entirely white plumage, contrasting sharply with its unfeathered, glossy black head and neck, black decurved bill, and black legs. Distinctive field marks include its bald black head and neck, long, robust, and downcurved black bill, and overall pure white body, making it unmis...
Found in a variety of freshwater and brackish wetlands, including marshes, swamps, lakes, riverbeds, rice paddies, flooded fields, and coastal mudflats, typically at low elevations but occasionally up to 1000m.
Feeds primarily on aquatic invertebrates (crustaceans, mollusks, insects), small fish, frogs, tadpoles, reptiles, and occasionally small rodents, obtained by tactile probing in shallow water and mud.
Black-headed Ibises are diurnal birds, actively foraging during the day and roosting communally in trees at night, often in mixed-species assemblages. Their primary foraging strategy involves wading in shallow water, sweeping their long, decurved bill from side to side to tactilely detect aquatic...
The Black-headed Ibis has a wide distribution across South and Southeast Asia, extending from the Indian subcontinent eastward. Its primary breeding and resident range includes India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and southern China. It is als...
Near Threatened
- The Black-headed Ibis is often found foraging alongside grazing cattle, taking advantage of insects disturbed by the livestock. - Despite its widespread presence, its populations have faced significant declines in Southeast Asia due to wetland conversion and pesticide use. - Its unfeathered bla...