Straw-necked Ibis at the Ponds

Alice Springs Waste Stabilisation Ponds

A member of the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae, the Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), are a common species found throughout Australia. Whilst they are known to nest, at least occasionally, in all mainland states and territories, and while they have been sighted in the arid interior, they are not known to nest there. They are also found in New Guinea and parts of Indonesia.

Their common name is derived from the distinctive straw-like feathers found on the necks of the adult bird. A large bird, they have a bare black head and long, downward curved black bill. The plumage is a distinctive and iridescent, although in certain light, their plumage is a fairly uniform dark brown. The upper neck, underparts and the undertail are white. Their legs are usually reddish near the top and dark grey toward the feet. They have a wingspan of about 100–120 cm.

Whilst both sexes are similar, the males have longer bills and the females have a dark band across their upper breast. The juveniles are duller in colour, have shorter bills with less curvature, and lack the straw-like plumes on the neck.

The photographs presented here were taking in January and September.

Check out our Birds section.

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• Scientific classification
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Subphylum: Vertebrata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Pelecaniformes
• Family: Threskiornithidae
• Genus: Threskiornis
• Species: Threskiornis spinicollis

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