Black-headed Ibis
The black-headed ibis , also known as the Oriental white ibis, Indian
white ibis, and black-necked ibis.It is a large white marsh bird with
naked black head and neck and long , stout, black, downcurved curlew-like
bill. Males and females look similar and both have grayish tail
feathers.
Local Names :
Munda / Safed baza (Hindi)
Thalaikaththi chondan
(Tamil)
Kashandi kokku
(Malayalam)
Scientific Name :
Threskiornis melanocephalus
The black-headed ibis is very versatile being able to use a large
variety of natural and man-made habitats. Walks about actively on marshy land probing with its bill into the soft
mud, mandibles partly open like forceps.
They mostly feed on fish, frogs and other water creatures, as well as
on insects.
It nests in heronry colonies near wetlands. The nests are shallow
cup-shaped platforms of sticks, grasses or reeds that are typically
situated on trees near a body of water, such as rivers, swamps or
lakes. The average clutch consists of 2 – 4 eggs. Bluish or green
white, sometimes with delicate spots of yellowish brown.
References
The Book of Indian Birds (Salim Ali)
Wikipedia
Pictures:
Kaikondrahalli Lake , Bangalore (2019)
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