African sacred ibis

What they look like

Black and white in colour, the African sacred ibis has a distinctive long black bill, head and legs, while its body is white in colour. Their large white wings show a black border when in flight.

Animal facts

• Often mummified as a symbol of the Egyptian god Thoth.
• They nest in tree colonies and lay up to three eggs.

What they eat

Fish, insects, frogs, small birds, reptiles and other small mammals.

Habitat

The African sacred ibis resides in wet marshlands and mud flats, inland and on the coast.

Where they live

Native to Central and South Africa, the African sacred ibis can also be found in Bahrain, France and Spain.