Madagascar sacred ibis

Threskiornis bernieri

Using its long beak, the Madagascar sacred ibis probes the mud of the intertidal zones for crustaceans and other invertebrates, right down to the base of its beak.

Red List

Endangered

The most striking difference between the Madagascar sacred ibis and the sacred ibis is the colour of their eyes. The Madagascar sacred ibis has a light blue or white iris. The iris of the sacred ibis is brown.

Whilst the brown-eyed sacred ibis has a wide distribution throughout the African continent south of the Sahara, the Madagascar sacred ibis lives on the west coast of Madagascar and on the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles.

Near the coast, it breeds in colonies, often alongside other heron species. It builds its nest, around 3 metres above the water’s surface, from twigs in the fork of a branch. However, it often forages alone. Its diet consists mainly of crustaceans and other invertebrates, and occasionally frogs, reptiles or birds.

Taxonomy

Ibis and spoonbills (Threskiornithidae), genus Threskiornis (6 species)

Habitat

coastal waters, river deltas and mangrove areas

Migratory behaviour

generally sedentary

Social structure

sociable, in large groups; nests in colonies, sometimes alongside heron species