African sacred ibis

Introduction: In Namibia, the African sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) are found in grasslands, open habitats, farm dams, sewage dams and inland freshwater wetlands.

Distribution: Etosha National Park, Caprivi, Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Kaudom Game Park, Tsumkwe and Hardap Dam.

Diet: Pecks slowly when walking for insects, frogs, crabs, grasshoppers and locusts, crickets, fish, frogs, lizards, small mammals, eggs and nestlings, worms and molluscs.

Description: Large ibis with bare black head and neck, mainly white plumage and a black tail. Threskiornis is Greek for 'a religious bird'.

Breeding: Usually 2 or 3 eggs are laid from October to December in a nest built of sticks and branches lined with leaves and grass.

Size: 90cm.

Weight: 1.25kg.