The black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), also known as the Oriental white ibis, Indian white ibis, and black-necked ibis, is a species of wading bird of the ibis family Threskiornithidae which breeds in the South and Southeast Asia from India to the west and as far east as Japan.[2][3] It is the only native ibis species in its range that has an overall white plumage with a black neck and head. The down-curved beak and legs are also black. Though often referred to as a wetland species, the black-headed ibis forages in a range of natural and man-made habitats.[4] This species of ibis nests only during the rainy season.
Description
The black-headed ibis is one of several large waterbird species in south and south-east Asia, with adults measuring 65–76 cm in length.[5] The white plumage is starkly contrasted against a conspicuous naked black neck and head, and black down-curved beak. Tails of adults bear light grey ornamental feathers that turn jet black during the breeding season. During the breeding season, bare patches under the wing turn blood-red. The head of some breeding adults gain a blueish tinge, or very rarely have a pink or bright red patch behind the neck.[6][7] Some breeding adults also develop tufts of white feathers behind the neck, and rarely also get a yellowish colouration on the breast and back. Sexes are identical but juveniles are identifiable from adults in having greyish feathering on the neck and speckled brown-grey feathering on the wings and back. Like storks and spoonbills, it lacks a true voice-producing mechanism and is silent except for ventriloquistic grunts uttered by pairs at the nest.[5]
The black-headed ibis is very versatile being able to use a large variety of natural and man-made habitats. These include freshwater and salt-water marshes, lakes and ponds, as also rice fields, freshly ploughed crop fields, irrigation canals, riversides, reservoirs, urban lakes, open sewage gutters, grazing lots, and garbage dumping sites.[6][9][10][4] Ibis alter use of varied preferred foraging habitats by season in agricultural landscapes such as in south-western Uttar Pradesh in India. In summer, they largely use and prefer natural marshes and fallow fields, but in the monsoon, spread out more evenly to also use a variety of agricultural fields.[4] In landscapes that have more forests and rocky hills as in southern Rajasthan, wetlands are the preferred habitats year-round and there is little difference in habitats used in different seasons.[9][11] In more urban landscapes, black-headed Ibis abundance was positively associated with crop fields, wetlands and open areas.[12] Open sewage lines are used more during the dry summers, and ibis increase the use of grazing lands during the monsoon.
It nests in heronry colonies near wetlands. It builds a platform nest of sticks, lined with grass and threads.[10] Old trees in cities are used for night roosting and for nesting.[13][14]
The daily activity budget of Black-headed Ibis in a protected wetland showed ibises to spend the maximum time feeding (48%), followed by resting (23%).[15]
^ abcSundar, K.S. Gopi (2006). "Flock size, density and habitat selection of four large waterbird species in an agricultural landscape in Uttar Pradesh, India: implications for management". Waterbirds. 29 (3): 365–374. doi:10.1675/1524-4695(2006)29[365:FSDAHS]2.0.CO;2. JSTOR4132592.
^ abdel Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J. (1992). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. pp. 472–506.
^ abHancock, J.A.; Kushlan, J.A.; Kahl, M.P. (1992). Storks, Ibises and Spoonbills of the World. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
^Kannan, V.; Manakadan, R.; Sykes, B. R. (2010). "Red patch on the hindneck of Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus in breeding colonies in India". BirdingASIA. 14: 99–100.
^Moses, S.; Zöckler, C. (2015) Bird survey Report Ayeyarwaddy Delta November – December 2015. Unpubl. Report for Fauna and Flora International. Fauna and Flora International.
^ abKoli, V.K.; Yaseen, M.; Bhatnagar, C. (2013). "Population status of Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala and Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus in southern Rajasthan, India". Indian Birds. 8: 39–41.
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