African sacred ibis
Statut U.I.C.N
Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature
- lc Préoccupation mineure
- nt Quasi menacé
- vu Vulnérable
- en En danger
- cr En danger critique
- ew Éteint dans la nature
- ex Éteint
Carte d'identité
- Classe :
- Birds
- Ordre :
- Pelecaniformes
- Famille :
- Threskiornithidae
- Genre :
- Threskiornis
- Espèce :
- aethiopicus
- Taille moyenne
- 65 to 75 cm
- Poids
- About 1.5 kg
- Gestation
- Incubation: 26 to 30 days
6 to 15 eggs per clutch - Habitat
- Wetlands
- Régime
- Insectivore
The bird of the pharaohs
In ancient Egypt, this ibis was associated with Thoth, god of writing, knowledge and the Moon. Its long curved bill is thought to have recalled the crescent moon. Revered as Thoth’s sacred animal, the ibis was so important that thousands of them were mummified and placed as offerings in necropolises.
Threats and conservation
The African sacred ibis is threatened by habitat destruction, pollution and disturbance of its nesting sites. To protect it, wetlands are preserved, breeding sites are safeguarded, and the species is present in several protected areas.
Fun fact
Its long curved, sickle-shaped bill lets it probe the mud for food, even without seeing it!
