Photo: Ron Knight (sussexbirder) / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Crested Ibis
Nipponia nippon
Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of Europe & Northern Asia.
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The Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) is a member of the Threskiornithidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 1.9 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pelecaniformes
- Family Threskiornithidae Ibises, Spoonbills
- Genus Nipponia
- Species nippon
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.9 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Threskiornithidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Crested Ibis hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Crested Ibis is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) belongs to the Threskiornithidae family of the order Pelecaniformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL ne China.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.9 kg, with a wing length of about 39.3 cm and a tail of around 14.5 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1,120 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Crested Ibis?
The Crested Ibis is a very large bird that weighs around 1.9 kg.
Where does the Crested Ibis live?
The Crested Ibis is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL ne China, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Crested Ibis belong to?
The Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) belongs to the Threskiornithidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the Crested Ibis eat?
The Crested Ibis hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Crested Ibis migrate?
The Crested Ibis is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Crested Ibis endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Crested Ibis make?
1 real field recording of the Crested Ibis — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Crested Ibis's range?
The Crested Ibis has a mapped global range of about 1,120 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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