Threskiornithidae bird family

Order Pelecaniformes · 9 selected species

Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.

Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaDistinctive, large white wading bird with a spatula for a bill. Adult has short crest, yellowish breast patch. First year has paler bill, with fine black wingtips visible in flight. Sleeping birds have horizontal posture and bulging neck, vs. more vertical stance of egrets. Found in wetlands with shallow water (including tidal flats), where feeds by sweeping its bill side-to-side for crustaceans and small fish. May be confused with egrets when sleeping, but note stockier, more thickset overall appearance.

Hadada IbisBostrychia hagedashA large, bulky, gray-brown ibis with an iridescent green-purple gloss on the wings. It has a bicolored black-and-red bill and a white streak across the cheek under the eye. Pairs and small flocks occur in a variety of habitats including open country, wetland margins, and forest edge; they forages on the ground, digging, probing soft soil, and picking up invertebrates with their long bills. The frequently-heard call is one of the most characteristic sounds of Africa: a loud, raucous, trumpeting “ha-da-da” which gives the bird its name.

Northern Bald IbisGeronticus eremitaUnique blackish ibis with a bare red face and throat. Long quills form a raggedy mane. Short legs do not project beyond the tail in flight. Breeds in colonies on cliff ledges in semidesert regions; forages in open dry habitats. Critically Endangered with most remaining birds in Morocco; migratory eastern populations in Syria and Turkey all but extinct. Historically bred in central and southern Europe and plans for reintroduction are moving forward.

Olive IbisBostrychia olivaceaA dark forest-dwelling ibis. Note the black bare skin on the face, the ragged crest, and the bright green shoulders. Found in wet areas of the rainforest understory and locally in mangroves. Very shy and generally scarce. Similar in appearance to Spot-breasted Ibis, but larger and chunkier, with unspotted underparts, black facial skin, and a different call. Somewhat like Hadada Ibis, but slightly smaller overall, smaller-billed, and found in forest rather than in more open habitats. The vocalization is a two-part, honking “hee-haa,” similar to Hadada Ibis calls, but simpler.

Red-naped IbisPseudibis papillosaA medium-sized ibis with a dark body, often showing a bluish-green sheen. The crown and nape are covered in bright red warts. A white patch is usually visible near the shoulder of the wing. The bill is long and downcurved. This species can be confused with the similar-looking Glossy Ibis, but Glossy Ibis is smaller and lacks the red warts and white shoulder patch. In flight, the legs of Red-naped Ibis don’t extend beyond the tail, unlike in Glossy Ibis. Unlike most other ibis, Red-naped favors drier habitats, such as rye fields. It is usually found singly or in loose groups.

Roseate SpoonbillPlatalea ajajaUnique pink wading bird with long, flat, spoon-shaped bill. Adults are mostly pink overall, with scarlet wing patches, orange tail, and bare pale-green head. Immatures are duller than adults but still washed with pale pink. Sometimes mistaken for a flamingo, but note spoonbill's distinctive bill, shorter legs, and shorter neck. Occurs in freshwater and saltwater wetlands from the Gulf Coast of the U.S. through much of South America. Feeds by sifting side-to-side through shallow water. Often in small loose groups, sometimes with other wading birds like storks and herons.

Sharp-tailed IbisCercibis oxycercaA medium-sized wading bird, mostly black with a red bill and legs. Relatively long tail projection imparts a long-bodied appearance which is enhanced by its short legs. At close range, note bare red throat and orbital skin. Occurs in open wetlands and seasonally flooded savannas, usually in pairs or small groups, probing in mud, shallow water, or soft ground for invertebrates and fish. Unusual, far-carrying call is a single, horn-like note, often given in duet by pairs, with one higher-pitched than the other; the overall effect is like the braying of a donkey. Larger and longer-tailed than Bare-faced Ibis, much more vocal, and does not occur in large groups.

White IbisEudocimus albusAdults are white with a bit of black on the wingtips. Red decurved bill and pinkish-red legs. Bright blue eyes. Immatures are half brown, half white. Forages in saltmarshes and shallow wetlands, often in flocks. In flight, flaps quickly and then glides on bowed wings. Accustomed to people in some parts of its range. It is commonly seen on lawns and in parking lots scavenging for food scraps.