|
This article is incomplete. This article is missing one or more sections. You can help the BirdForum Opus by expanding it. |
|
- Plegadis falcinellus
Identification
This species is 55-65 cm long with an 88-105 cm wingspan. Breeding adults have reddish-brown bodies and shiny bottle-green wings. Non-breeders and juveniles have duller bodies. This species has a brownish bill, dark facial skin bordered above and below in blue-gray (non-breeding) to cobalt blue (breeding), and red-brown legs. Unlike herons, ibises fly with necks outstretched, and often flocks fly in lines.
In winter plumage, can be difficult to separate from White-faced Ibis (P. chihi) without close views. Best told by dark eyes and lores (instead or red in White-faced) and narrow white stripes of even thickness above and below the lores (absent or uneven in winter plumaged White-faced).
Distribution
This bird is distributing widely but they are uncommon in some places, they are listed as rare vagrant in many places, such as Borneo, Singapore and etc.
There is evidence to suggest that some groups are migratory with palearctic individuals making their way to Africa to over-winter.
The population in North America has been spreading in recent years. Wintering birds are now turning up regularly in northern Central America, where they were not recorded previously.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Inhabit permanent wetlands including coastal lagoons and marshy lakeshores.
Behaviour
These birds are gregarious and may occur in large flocks containing hundreds of birds.
Food includes invertebrates, fish, frogs and small reptiles.
Breeding: The nest is a compact platform of twigs or reeds, about 30 cm diameter, usually in a tree which overhangs water. Nesting is colonial and often in mixed heronries. Two to four eggs are laid August to March (in southern Africa). Incubation is by both sexes and takes 20-23 days.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Plegadis falcinellus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
External Links
