The ibises (collective plural ibis; classical plurals ibides and ibes) are a group of long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae. (from the greek word Greek thrēskeia meaning religion)
Straw necked Ibis ( Threskiornis spinicollis). image:R.Conan-Davies
They all have long, down-curved bills, and usually feed as a group, probing mud for food items, usually crustaceans. Most species nest in trees, often with spoonbills or herons.
Straw necked Ibis ( Threskiornis spinicollis) are characterised by their distinctive straw like plumage on their necks. image: R.Conan-Davies
The word ibis comes from Latin ibis from Greek ἶβις ibis from Egyptian hb, hīb.
Species
There are 28 extant species and 2 extinct species of ibis.
Genus Threskiornis
- African sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
- Malagasy sacred ibis, Threskiornis bernieri
- †Reunion ibis, Threskiornis solitarius (extinct)
- Black-headed ibis, Threskiornis melanocephalus
- Australian white ibis, Threskiornis molucca
- Straw-necked ibis, Threskiornis spinicollis
Genus Pseudibis
- Red-naped ibis, Pseudibis papillosa
- White-shouldered ibis, Pseudibis davisoni
- Giant ibis, Pseudibis gigantea
Red-naped ibis, Pseudibis papillosa. image: wikipedia/Niraj Vijaykumar
Genus Geronticus
- Northern bald ibis, Geronticus eremita
- Southern bald ibis, Geronticus calvus
Genus Nipponia
- Crested ibis, Nipponia nippon
A crested ibis image: wikipedia/Danielinblue
Genus Bostrychia
- Olive ibis, Bostrychia olivacea
- Sao Tome ibis, Bostrychia bocagei
- Spot-breasted ibis, Bostrychia rara
- Hadada ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
- Wattled ibis, Bostrychia carunculata
Genus Theristicus
- Plumbeous ibis, Theristicus caerulescens
- Buff-necked ibis, Theristicus caudatus
- Black-faced ibis, Theristicus melanopis
Genus Cercibis
- Sharp-tailed ibis, Cercibis oxycerca
Genus Mesembrinibis
- Green ibis, Mesembrinibis cayennensis
Genus Phimosus
- Bare-faced ibis, Phimosus infuscatus
Genus Eudocimus
- American white ibis, Eudocimus albus
- Scarlet ibis, Eudocimus ruber
A Scarlet ibis, Eudocimus ruber image: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen
Genus Plegadis
- Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
- White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi
- Puna ibis, Plegadis ridgwayi
Genus Lophotibis
- Madagascar ibis, Lophotibis cristata
An extinct species, the Jamaican ibis or clubbed-wing ibis (Xenicibis xympithecus) was uniquely characterized by its club-like wings.
Source: Ibis. (2014, December 24). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 07:54, January 30, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ibis&oldid=639461082