Crested Ibis

Crested Ibis

Japanese crested ibis, Asian crested ibis, Toki

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Subclass
Infraclass
Superorder
Genus
SPECIES
Nipponia nippon
Population size
500-1,000
Life Span
26 years
Weight
1000
35
goz
g oz 
Length
79
31
cminch
cm inch 
Wingspan
140
55
cminch
cm inch 

Di

Diurnal

Ca

Carnivore

Pi

Piscivores

In

Insectivores

Mo

Molluscivore

Ve

Vermivorous

Ar

Arboreal

Pr

Predator

Wa

Wading birds

Al

Altricial

Se

Semiaquatic

Te

Terrestrial

Te

Territorial

Co

Congregatory

Mo

Monogamy

So

Social

Fl

Flocking

No

Not a migrant

C

starts with

Appearance

The Crested ibis is a large white-plumaged wading bird of pine forests. Its head is partially bare, showing red skin, and it has a dense crest of white plumes on the nape. Crested ibises were historically hunted for their beautiful feathers and at one time, they were widespread in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and Russia. However, now these birds have disappeared from most of their former range.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Subcontinents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

Crested ibises are now found only in Shaanxi province of China. They live in forests with tall trees where they can nest and roost, and feed in wetlands, river banks, reservoirs or agricultural land.

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Crested ibises are social birds and are often seen in flocks, however, during the breeding season they become solitary and very territorial. When threatened or defending their nest from intruders ibises will flap their wings, extend their head, stretch-and-snap, and perform pursuit flight displays. These are diurnal (active during the day) birds that spend daylight hours resting, preening or walking and wading along shores searching for prey. Crested ibises are generally silent but if excited they will make a series of ‘gak-gak-gak’ calls. To communicate with each other or before taking off they will emit a low ‘gak’.

Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

Crested ibises are carnivores (piscivores); they eat frogs, small fish, crabs, river snails other mollusks as well as beetles.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
February-June
INCUBATION PERIOD
28 days
INDEPENDENT AGE
45 days
BABY NAME
chick
web.animal_clutch_size
3-4 eggs

Crested ibises are monogamous forming pairs that stay together throughout the year. They breed from February till June and produce one clutch per season. Crested ibises make their nests at the tops of trees on hills usually overlooking their habitat. The female lays 3 to 4 eggs, which are incubated within 28 days by both parents. The chicks are altricial; they are hatched helpless with light gray down and orange-red legs. They grow rapidly and around one month later are able to walk on branches around the nest. The young fledge at 45 days of age and become reproductively mature when they are 2-4 years old.

Population

Population threats

Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size, limited range, winter starvation and persecution in the last century brought this endangered species to the brink of extinction. Environmental conditions are also crucial for Crested ibises captive breeding success, as stress caused by unsuitable environments has resulted in parents killing and discarding chicks.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total Asian crested ibis population size is around 500 individuals, equivalent to around 330 mature individuals. According to the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) resource, the total population size of the species is 1,000 individuals including 480 adults. Currently, Asian crested ibises are classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List, but their numbers today are increasing.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • The Crested ibis is one of the world’s most threatened ibis species.
  • In Japan, Crested ibises are known as Toki. In Japanese, ‘toki-iro’ (toki-color) refers to the pinkish hue of these birds which is seen during the flight.
  • The scientific name of the Crested ibis ‘Nipponia nippon’ comes from the Japanese name for Japan, "Nippon."
  • Samurai used to collected beautiful feathers of Crested ibises for their ornamental arrows; they also made feather brooms that were used during tea ceremonies.
  • During the breeding season, the head, crest, neck, and back of Crested ibises become grey in color. This unique breeding (nuptial) plumage occurs as a result of the spreading of a waxy, tar-like substance by the bird. This behavior is known as ‘daubing’. The substance is excreted from specialized skin on the head and neck. Daubing behavior occurs during the winter, just prior to the first courtship behaviors.

References

1. Crested Ibis on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crested_ibis
2. Crested Ibis on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22697548/132069229
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/344270

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