# Ibis (*Threskiornis aethiopicus*)

> An ibis is a long-legged wading bird with a distinctive long, down-curved bill used to probe mud and shallow water for food. The sacred ibis was revered in ancient Egypt. Ibises feed on insects, frogs, and small aquatic animals, nest in colonies, and often live around 20 years.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Wetlands, marshes, and floodplains across sub-Saharan Africa, with feral populations in parts of Europe.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ibis/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Pelecaniformes
- **Family:** Threskiornithidae

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Threskiornis aethiopicus |
| Diet | Carnivore (insects, frogs, small animals) |
| Habitat | Wetlands, marshes, rivers, and floodplains |
| Lifespan | Up to about 20 years |
| Weight | 1–1.5 kg (2.2–3.3 lb) |
| Top speed | A strong, steady flier |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## 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.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does an ibis eat?

Ibises eat insects, worms, frogs, small fish, and other small animals, using their long curved bills to probe mud and shallow water by touch.

### Why was the ibis sacred in Egypt?

The sacred ibis was associated with Thoth, the ancient Egyptian god of wisdom and writing, and millions were mummified as religious offerings.

### Where do ibises live?

Ibises live around wetlands, marshes, rivers, and floodplains. The sacred ibis is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, with feral populations in Europe.

### Are ibises endangered?

The sacred ibis is listed as Least Concern and is common, although some other ibis species are threatened by the loss of wetlands.

### How long do ibises live?

Ibises can live around 20 years, with survival depending on the health of the wetlands they rely on for food.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Threskiornis aethiopicus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Threskiornis%20aethiopicus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Threskiornis aethiopicus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Threskiornis_aethiopicus/)
- [Wikipedia — Ibis.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_sacred_ibis)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ibis/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.