Glossy ibis
Scientific name: Plegadis falcinellus
IUCN listed as: Least Concern
Learn before you visit!
Here are some facts about the species – Discover what they eat, find out about their natural habitat, see what they like to do, and more… Set the reading style to suit you too, everyday speak or something aimed towards children.
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Diet
The Glossy Ibis primarily feeds on a variety of aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates. Their diet includes insects, molluscs, crustaceans, amphibians, and occasionally small fish and reptiles. These birds forage by probing the mud with their long, curved bills, often in shallow waters. Their diet varies seasonally and depends on the availability of prey in their habitat. In captivity, they are provided with a diet that mimics their natural food sources, including small fish and invertebrates.
Glossy Ibises eat insects, small fish, and other tiny water animals. They use their long bills to poke around in the mud and find food. They eat different things depending on the season. In zoos, they get similar foods to what they eat in the wild.
Breeding
Glossy Ibises breed in colonies, often in mixed-species groups. The breeding season varies with location but typically aligns with the wet season to ensure ample food supply. Nests are built from twigs and vegetation, usually positioned above water in dense reeds or low trees. Females lay 3-4 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for about 21-23 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge after approximately 28 days.
These birds build nests in groups with other birds. They lay 3-4 eggs, which both parents take turns keeping warm. The baby birds hatch in about three weeks and can fly after about a month. They build their nests in reeds or trees above water.
Habitat
The Glossy Ibis inhabits a variety of wetland environments, including marshes, swamps, and shallow lakes. They are highly migratory, breeding in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, and wintering in Africa, southern Asia, and parts of the Americas. These birds prefer areas with abundant aquatic vegetation and shallow waters for foraging. Habitat destruction due to wetland drainage poses a significant threat, but conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring these crucial habitats.
Glossy Ibises live in wetlands like marshes and swamps. They travel long distances from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia to warmer places in winter. They like shallow water with lots of plants. Protecting these places is important for their survival.
At the zoo
In zoos, Glossy Ibises are housed in aviaries that replicate their natural wetland habitats. These enclosures include shallow ponds and vegetation for foraging and nesting. Zoos play an important role in educating the public about these birds and their conservation. They also conduct research to improve understanding of their behaviour and breeding needs. Regular feeding schedules and health checks ensure the ibises thrive in captivity.
In zoos, Glossy Ibises live in areas that look like their natural homes with ponds and plants. Zoos help people learn about these birds and how to protect them. They also study the birds to learn more about them. The birds get regular meals and health checks.
Behaviour
Glossy Ibises are social and often seen in large flocks, especially during migration. They communicate through vocalisations and visual displays, particularly during the breeding season. These birds are known for their graceful flight and are often seen flying in V-shaped formations. They are also quite adaptable, able to forage in a variety of wetland habitats. Understanding their social and migratory behaviours is essential for effective conservation.
These birds like to be in groups and often fly in V-shaped formations. They talk to each other with sounds and movements. They are good at finding food in different wetland areas. Knowing how they live helps us protect them better.
Fun facts
- Colourful Feathers: Their feathers shine with green and reddish tones in the sunlight.
- Long Travels: Glossy Ibises migrate long distances between their breeding and wintering grounds.
- Social Birds: They often form large flocks, especially during migration.
- Mixed Colonies: They nest in colonies with other bird species.
- Adaptable Feeders: They can eat a wide variety of small animals and plants.
- Shiny Feathers: Their feathers look green and red in the sun.
- Big Trips: They fly very far when they migrate.
- Group Living: They like to be in big groups with other birds.
- Nest Sharing: They build nests with other kinds of birds.
- Food Variety: They eat lots of different small animals and plants.
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