Least Concern Birds

African Sacred Ibis

Threskiornis aethiopicus

African Sacred Ibis is a wetland bird feeding on fish and amphibians in Africa.

Scientific name	Threskiornis aethiopicus
Swahili name	Mkorogo mweupe
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Threskiornithiformes
Family	Threskiornithidae
Size	Male: approximately 1.2-1.5 kg; Female: approximately 1.0-1.3 kg

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How to identify

Body feathers mainly white; head and neck unfeathered and black; long, downward-curved black bill; legs and feet black; underwing edge black and conspicuous in flight; medium to large size.

Habitat

Wetlands, marshes, river edges, lakes, and rice paddies near water bodies.

Diet

Omnivorous, feeding mainly on fish, amphibians, insects, crustaceans, and other small aquatic animals.

When it is active

Diurnal, active during the day.

Where it lives

Mainly distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya and the Masai Mara National Reserve; also found in parts of the Middle East.

How to spot it

Observe at dawn or dusk at wetland edges, paying attention to feeding behavior and flight posture; use telephoto lenses to capture the distinctive curved bill and wing color contrast in flight.

Photography tips

Recommended to use telephoto lenses; select open wetland areas; utilize natural light to capture the contrast between white feathers and black head; keep background simple to highlight the subject.