Pseudibis davisoni
The White-shouldered Ibis, *Pseudibis davisoni*, is a striking and critically endangered wading bird known for its dark, almost entirely blackish-brown plumage, which can display a subtle iridescent sheen in good light. Its most distinctive field mark, providing its common name, is a prominent pure white patch on the shoulder (carpal joint) that stands out sharply against the dark body, visible in flight and at rest. Adults typically measure between 75-85 cm (30-33 inches) in length, with a w...
This ibis primarily inhabits lowland open forests, woodlands, and grasslands interspersed with permanent or seasonal wetlands, rivers, and ponds. It typically occurs at elevations below 500 meters, preferring undisturbed areas near water sources.
Its diet mainly consists of invertebrates such as earthworms, insect larvae, beetles, and crustaceans, supplemented by small frogs, lizards, and fish, typically obtained by probing and gleaning in wet areas.
White-shouldered Ibises are primarily diurnal, foraging during the day and roosting communally in large, emergent trees or on cliff ledges at night, often near water. Their foraging strategy involves probing the soft mud and damp soil with their long, decurved bills, also gleaning invertebrates f...
The White-shouldered Ibis once had a widespread distribution across mainland Southeast Asia, encompassing parts of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and even northern Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. However, its range has suffered catastrophic contraction, and it is now restricted to a ...
Critically Endangered
- The White-shouldered Ibis is considered one of the rarest birds in the world, with a global population estimated to be fewer than 1,000 individuals, primarily concentrated in Cambodia. - It was once thought to be a subspecies of the Black-headed Ibis (*Threskiornis melanocephalus*) but was late...