Black-headed Ibis

Threskiornis melanocephalus

Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of South & Southeast Asia.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 5 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Indonesia Birds of India Birds of Japan Birds of Malaysia Birds of Thailand

See what's near you right now

The Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) is a member of the Threskiornithidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 1.3 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Pelecaniformes
Family Threskiornithidae Ibises, Spoonbills
Genus Threskiornis
Species melanocephalus

Where it lives

India, southeastern Asia, southeastern Sumatra and northern Java (where now rare)

South & Southeast Asia

Quick facts

Weight: 1.3 kg
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Threskiornithidae
Order: Pelecaniformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Black-headed Ibis hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Black-headed Ibis is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) belongs to the Threskiornithidae family of the order Pelecaniformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR India, se Asia, se Sumatra and n Java (where now rare).

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.3 kg, with a wing length of about 35 cm and a tail of around 14.8 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.2 million km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Black-headed Ibis?

The Black-headed Ibis is a very large bird that weighs around 1.3 kg.

Where does the Black-headed Ibis live?

The Black-headed Ibis is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR India, se Asia, se Sumatra and n Java (where now rare), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Black-headed Ibis belong to?

The Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) belongs to the Threskiornithidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.

What does the Black-headed Ibis eat?

The Black-headed Ibis hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Black-headed Ibis migrate?

The Black-headed Ibis is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Black-headed Ibis endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

How large is the Black-headed Ibis's range?

The Black-headed Ibis has a mapped global range of about 1.2 million km².