Australian White Ibis with Chicks Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Ibises are of several kinds; this one is Australian white Ibis. It can be easily recognized because of its white plumage, bare black head and long black legs. They migrate to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary near Bangalore.
The long down curved bill is common to all varieties of Ibis. They nest in groups and coexist well with other birds like spoonbills and herons.
Australian white Ibis
Australian White Ibis
Sadly too many of them have caused havoc in parts of Australia and they try different means to get rid of Ibis. They have earned nicknames like: bin chickens, tip turkeys, sandwich snatchers and picnic pirates.
This species has been culled in parts of Sydney due to their smell and at times obtrusive nature. We did get a smell as we rowed around the islands where the birds were nesting, but that may be due to the mix of different birds and their poops. They have a very unpleasant croaking sound too.
Ibises catch and eat small, usually aquatic, animals from fish and frogs to insects, shellfish, crabs and crayfish. The one in the first pic was taking its drink for a long time which enabled us to take good pics. The mommy birds feeding the little ones was interesting to watch. Wish I had taken a video.
Ibis chicks
Ibis Trivia
Interestingly, it is believed that the white ibis is a symbol for danger and optimism. Native American folklore mentions that the bird was the last to seek shelter before a hurricane and the first to emerge afterwards.
Australian white ibis reaches sexual maturity in 3 years. Lifespan of Ibis is 28 years approx.
In ancient world of Egypt, the Ibis bird was considered sacred. It was associated with Thoth, the God of wisdom and writing.
Thoth was often represented in the form of a man’s body with the head of the Ibis and was the patron of the educated scribes who were responsible for the administration of Egypt.
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(This post was first published on Sept 14, 2014.)
Beautiful, the Australian ibis looks grand.
Beautiful bird
thanks
What a timely capture on baby birds feeding off of their parent. Amazing one.
Beautiful photos, Indrani! Very clear and sharp too. I never saw them in Australia, but I saw white ibises in Egypt. In our regions we have mainly herons and storks, and ofcourse all kind of geese,ducks and swans.
Wil, ABCW Team.
Very handsome bird. I love the photo of the chicks in the nest.
Cool shots of the Íbis, not one I'm used to seeing. Love the chicks with Mom photo!:)
Hi Indrani, I saw first time the kind of Ibises through your great blog & the biggest thing is that you've explained the difference between Ibises and other birds in a very good way. Keep posting!!!
It is a cool looking Ibis, much different than the ones I see here. Great photos.
Such lovely birds, aren't they?
Please share at http://www.image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2014/09/elodie-farms.html
Great pictures of the Ibis.
Wonderful birds.
They're very handsome birds.
they look so scary ..
Beautiful bird of black and white combo ?
Beautiful photos and nice detail! Interesting note on the Ibises
Beautiful pictures Indrani.
Looks like a gentleman in suit and tie. Pretty picture.
Beautiful pictures and loved reading the descriptive and informative post.
beautiful! saw them in Bharatpur, Great capture!
Splendid captures Indrani… Thank you the information about the bird 🙂 TC! Keep smiling 🙂
Beautiful clicks Indrani…love the second one…try to take a video next time… 🙂
Magnifico !
Cool pictures Indrani, to identify the bird and provide such in depth information about each is quite a task. Too good.
Great pics Indrani!
Great shots of birds.
Good shots!
Lovely pics as usual, Indrani 🙂
THese are gorgeous!
They are very useful for aerating pastures but in the city environs where they are feeding on human trash, it is a very different story. Amazingly adapted to city living, they breed up to plague numbers, very like house sparrows in theta regard.
Great pics.. especially the sweet wee ones getting fed. And I can't smell a thing. 😉
WOW! What handsome birds!
Well, they may smell, but they're pretty. 😉
Beautiful Ibis images.
Marvelous photos of the Ibis. Fascinating birds.
One hopes that students will find and share this post!
ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>
Magnificent birds and photographed so well.
A different Ibis from ones we have here. Handsome bird and markings! Wonderful captures as always! Hope you have a great new week, Indrani!!
Beautiful pictures!
http://albaraak.com/
one of my favourite birds
they are neat birds. we have troubles with egrets nesting in large numbers in parts of texas. their poop makes the air toxic.