Wattled Ibis
Bostrychia carunculata
A dark ibis with a shaggy crest and a small wattle below the bill that is difficult to see. White patches in the wings are distinctive, especially in flight. Found in montane habitats including grasslands, marshes, moorlands, and even urban lawns. Often in small flocks. Somewhat similar to other dark ibis, but easily separated by the white in the wing. The calls are raspy and rough.
Identification
The Wattled ibis is a medium-sized, dark brown, crested bird, distinguished by the combination of its dark color, its creast and its extensive white wing-patch. It has a relatively short bill, a fairly long tail and a thin wattle hanging from its throat. The basic color of the adult is dark brown. The brown face is feathered with a dusky red bill. The eye is red and surrounded by a white ring. Plumage is glossed dull green; the waddle is small and red, about 20 mm long. Body length is about 65–75 cm.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Bostrychia carunculata
- Authority
- (Rüppell, 1837)
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Family
- Threskiornithidae
- Genus
- Bostrychia
Range and habitat
They may occur all over Ethiopian highlands at altitudes ranging from 1500 m to the highest moorlands at 4100 m. It has also been recorded on the coast of Eritrea. It prefers meadows and highland river courses. It is often found in rocky places and cliffs (where it roosts and breeds), but also in open country, cultivated land, city parks and olive tree (Olea africana) and juniper (Juniperus procera) mixed forests. It has also become well adapted to anthropic landscapes and conditions; it can be seen in green areas and lawns of for example down-town Addis Ababa, year round. The wattled ibis is common to abundant.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Plain Antvireo
Dysithamnus mentalis
Antvireos, as the name, suggests, resemble vireos, with rather heavy bills and shortish tails. This species inhabits open understory in humid forest of tropical lowlands and foothills. Usually found as sluggish singles or pairs, at times moving with mixed-species feeding flocks. Male has gray face and breast with a broad dark mask. Female has rusty cap and plain face and breast with a whitish eyering.
Kaempfer's Tody-Tyrant
Hemitriccus kaempferi
Small, olive-colored flycatcher with distinct yellow wing edges. Has a dark olive back and yellow underparts. Note the buffy lores. Inhabits lowland humid forests and secondary forest with dense understory, often near streams. Song is a repetition of high-pitched “kuít-kuít” notes.
Little Hermit
Phaethornis longuemareus
Tiny, mostly warm brown hummingbird. Note distinctive curved bill; long, white central tail feathers; and dark brown throat. Found in understory of swampy forest, including second growth and abandoned plantations, primarily in coastal areas. Forages on nectar, visiting widely-spaced food sources and often seen flying between them in low, direct flight, giving a characteristic plaintive squeak. At close range, often detected by loud and erratic wing noise, like a large bee, as it weaves among understory plants. May pause briefly to investigate people. Males sing from low perches; song is a series of high, slurred notes with a distinctive pattern. Most similar to Reddish Hermit, but Little is much less rufous, lacks a black breast band, and is generally restricted to coastal swamp forests.
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