Madagascar Crested Ibis - Lophotibis cristata
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The Madagascar Crested Ibis is known by a few other names; the Madagascar Ibis, the White-winged Ibis and the Crested Wood Ibis. It is a medium-sized bird that is endemic to Madagascar. They have a reddish-brown body and their wings are partially white. Their feathers on their head and crest are white and an iridescent blue or green. Their bill is decurved, yellowish and thick at the base. Their legs and feet and the bare skin around their dark eyes are red.
The Madagascar Crested Ibis is considered 'Near Threatened' by the IUCN. The species is in decline due to poaching of adults, young and eggs and deforestation of their environment.
07/10/2012 - San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, San Diego, CA
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03/26/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA
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05/19/2015 - San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, San Diego, CA
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03/25/2012 - San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA
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Diet: Ibises have sensitive feelers on their bills which aid them to identify food. They feed in shallow water or on the ground and eat insects, frogs, spiders, frogs, reptiles, snails, etc. While they are foraging in water for food, they can still breathe because their nostrils are at the base of their bill.
Courtship: Breeding occurs at the start of the rainy season in Madagascar.
Nesting: Madagascar Crested Ibis build large nests made of twigs and branches in the canopy of trees in colonies. The female lays 2-3 eggs (usually 3). The nests are re-used from year-to-year.
Habitat and Range: The Madagascar Crested Ibis is endemic to the woodlands and forests of Madagascar.
Vocalization: Calls loudly at night, a creaking ank-ank-ank-ank-ank.
Plumage/Molt They don't have an alternate or breeding plumage.
Migration: It is believed that these birds are not migratory.
Tongue/feet: The tongue is short and the toes are connected by a membrane.
Bibliography:
- http://en.wikipedia.org The Free Encyclopedia, Accessed July, 2012
- http://birdlife.org BirdLife International, Accessed July, 2012
- http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/ San Diego Zoo, Accessed July, 2012
- Shaw, George, Vivarium naturae or the Naturalist's Miscellany,Seventeenth Volume