Kingdom Animalia Order Pelecaniformes Subfamily Threskiornithinae Higher classification Ibis | Phylum Chordata Family Threskiornithidae Scientific name Threskiornis Rank Genus | |
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Lower classifications African sacred ibis, Australian white ibis, Black‑headed ibis, Straw‑necked ibis, Réunion ibis | ||
Australian white ibis bird threskiornis moluccus
Threskiornis is a genus of ibises, wading birds of the family Threskiornithidae. They occur in the warmer parts of the Old World in southern Asia, Australasia and Sub-Saharan Africa. They are colonial breeders, which build a stick nest in a tree or bush and lay two to four eggs. They occur in marshy wetlands and feed on various fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects.
Contents
Flock of ibis birds threskiornis moluccus australian white ibis birds flying in formation
Description
Adult Threskiornis ibises are typically 75 cm long and have white body plumage. The bald head, neck and legs are black. The bill is thick and curved. Sexes are similar, but juveniles have whiter necks duller plumage. The straw-necked ibis differs from the other species in having dark upperparts, and is some times placed in the separate genus Carphibis (Jameson, 1835) as Carphibis spinicollis.