Photo: Joseph Smit / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Olive Ibis
Bostrychia olivacea
Olive Ibis (Bostrychia olivacea) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Olive Ibis (Bostrychia olivacea) is a member of the Threskiornithidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 866 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pelecaniformes
- Family Threskiornithidae Ibises, Spoonbills
- Genus Bostrychia
- Species olivacea
Quick facts
- Weight
- 866 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Threskiornithidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Olive Ibis is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Olive Ibis is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Olive Ibis (Bostrychia olivacea) belongs to the Threskiornithidae family of the order Pelecaniformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c, e.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 866 g, with a wing length of about 34.7 cm and a tail of around 14.4 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 802,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Olive Ibis?
The Olive Ibis is a large bird that weighs around 866 g.
Where does the Olive Ibis live?
The Olive Ibis is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, e, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Olive Ibis belong to?
The Olive Ibis (Bostrychia olivacea) belongs to the Threskiornithidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the Olive Ibis eat?
The Olive Ibis is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Olive Ibis migrate?
The Olive Ibis is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Olive 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.
What sound does the Olive Ibis make?
1 real field recording of the Olive Ibis — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Olive Ibis's range?
The Olive Ibis has a mapped global range of about 802,000 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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