Pseudibis papillosa
The Red-naped Ibis, Pseudibis papillosa, is a striking, large wading bird known for its distinctive bare, black head adorned with a prominent, warty scarlet-red patch on its nape. Measuring approximately 68-70 cm (27-28 inches) in length with a wingspan of about 120-135 cm and weighing between 1.2-1.4 kg (2.6-3.1 lbs), its overall plumage is a glossy, iridescent black, often appearing dark brown in varying light, accented by a contrasting bright white patch on the shoulder (carpal joint). Its...
This ibis primarily inhabits dry, open landscapes, including cultivated fields, fallow lands, grasslands, and semi-arid plains, typically avoiding dense forests. It is often found near villages, reservoirs, and rivers, predominantly at low elevations up to 1500 meters.
Their diet is diverse, consisting mainly of insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and larvae, supplemented by worms, small reptiles, amphibians, and occasionally carrion or grains from cultivated fields.
Red-naped Ibises are diurnal, spending their days foraging in small groups or pairs, often returning to communal roosts in large trees (like Banyan or Peepal trees) at dusk. They employ a characteristic probing foraging strategy, using their long, curved bills to extract invertebrates from soft s...
The Red-naped Ibis is primarily a resident species, largely non-migratory, found across a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent. Its breeding and year-round range extends throughout India, except for the extreme north-east, with populations also present in parts of Pakistan and the lowla...
Least Concern
- The Red-naped Ibis is one of the few ibis species that regularly ventures far from extensive wetlands, preferring drier, open agricultural landscapes. - Its scientific name 'papillosa' directly refers to the distinctive warty, red patch on its nape, which is a key identification mark. - Despite...