Ibis

Ibis facts at a glance

How big is a ibis?

An adult ibis measures 70 cm long — about 40% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 1.5 kg, about 2% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).

What is a group of ibises called?

Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .

The probing bill

An ibis is built for wetlands. Its long, slender, down-curved bill works like forceps, probing soft mud, shallow water, and grass for insects, worms, frogs, and small fish that it locates largely by touch. This lets ibises feed in murky water where sight-hunting birds struggle.

Colonies and flight

Ibises are social birds that feed, roost, and nest in groups, often alongside herons, egrets, and storks. In flight they alternate flapping with gliding and often travel in long lines or V-formations between feeding and roosting sites.

Sacred history

The sacred ibis was closely linked to the ancient Egyptian god Thoth, and vast numbers were mummified as offerings. Although it no longer breeds along the Nile, it remains widespread across sub-Saharan Africa and has formed feral populations in parts of Europe.

Habitat and status

Ibises live around wetlands, floodplains, farmland, and even city parks, adapting well to landscapes shaped by people. Most species are common, and the sacred ibis is listed as Least Concern, though wetland drainage threatens some of their rarer relatives.

Did you know? Ibis facts

• An ibis is a long-legged wading bird with a distinctive long, down-curved bill used to probe mud and shallow water for food.
• Ibises eat insects, worms, frogs, small fish, and other small animals, using their long curved bills to probe mud and shallow water by touch.
• The sacred ibis was associated with Thoth, the ancient Egyptian god of wisdom and writing, and millions were mummified as religious offerings.
• Ibises live around wetlands, marshes, rivers, and floodplains. The sacred ibis is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, with feral populations in Europe.
• The sacred ibis is listed as Least Concern and is common, although some other ibis species are threatened by the loss of wetlands.
• Conservation: Least Concern (IUCN).

Diet & feeding

Ibis feeds primarily as a carnivore (insects, frogs, small animals). An ibis is built for wetlands. Its long, slender, down-curved bill works like forceps, probing soft mud, shallow water, and grass for insects, worms, frogs, and small fish that it locates largely by touch. This lets ibises feed in murky water where si

Adaptations

• An ibis is built for wetlands. Its long, slender, down-curved bill works like forceps, probing soft mud, shallow water, and grass for insects, worms, frogs, and small fish that it locates largely by touch. This lets ibises feed in murky water where sight-hunting birds struggle.
• Ibises are social birds that feed, roost, and nest in groups, often alongside herons, egrets, and storks. In flight they alternate flapping with gliding and often travel in long lines or V-formations between feeding and roosting sites.

Behaviour & ecology

• An ibis is built for wetlands. Its long, slender, down-curved bill works like forceps, probing soft mud, shallow water, and grass for insects, worms, frogs, and small fish that it locates largely by touch. This lets ibises feed in murky water where sight-hunting birds struggle.
• Ibises are social birds that feed, roost, and nest in groups, often alongside herons, egrets, and storks. In flight they alternate flapping with gliding and often travel in long lines or V-formations between feeding and roosting sites.
• The sacred ibis was closely linked to the ancient Egyptian god Thoth, and vast numbers were mummified as offerings. Although it no longer breeds along the Nile, it remains widespread across sub-Saharan Africa and has formed feral populations in parts of Europe.

Communication

• Ibis uses calls and visual displays to communicate territory, alarm, and breeding status.
• Vocal repertoires vary by species and are often learned or refined during development.

Habitat & range

Wetlands, marshes, rivers, and floodplains

Ecological role

Ibis acts as a predator that helps regulate prey populations and maintain balance in wetlands, marshes, rivers, and floodplains.

Conservation status of the Ibis

Sources & references

This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Ibis:

• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

  Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Threskiornis aethiopicus.

• iNaturalist — observations & photos

  Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Threskiornis aethiopicus. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.

• GBIF — occurrence data

  Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Threskiornis aethiopicus. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.

• eBird — bird observations

  Cornell Lab eBird target search for Ibis. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.

• IUCN Red List — Threskiornis aethiopicus.

  Conservation status (Least Concern) and population trends.

• Animal Diversity Web — Threskiornis aethiopicus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.

  Life history, morphology, and range.

• Wikipedia — Ibis.

  General taxonomy and overview (cross-check primary sources).

• Global Animal Guide editorial standards

  How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.