Spot-breasted Ibis

Bostrychia rara

Spot-breasted Ibis (Bostrychia rara) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of Africa.

The Spot-breasted Ibis (Bostrychia rara) 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

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Pelecaniformes
Family Threskiornithidae Ibises, Spoonbills
Genus Bostrychia
Species rara

Where it lives

Sierra Leone to Ghana, southern Nigeria to Gabon and southern DR Congo

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 866 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Threskiornithidae
Order: Pelecaniformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Spot-breasted Ibis hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

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

Migration

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

The Spot-breasted Ibis (Bostrychia rara) belongs to the Threskiornithidae family of the order Pelecaniformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Sierra Leone to Ghana, s Nigeria to Gabon and s DR Congo.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 866 g, with a wing length of about 26.1 cm and a tail of around 10.4 cm.

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

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 2.8 million km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Spot-breasted Ibis?

The Spot-breasted Ibis is a large bird that weighs around 866 g.

Where does the Spot-breasted Ibis live?

The Spot-breasted Ibis is found across Africa with a range covering AF Sierra Leone to Ghana, s Nigeria to Gabon and s DR Congo, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Spot-breasted Ibis belong to?

The Spot-breasted Ibis (Bostrychia rara) belongs to the Threskiornithidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.

What does the Spot-breasted Ibis eat?

The Spot-breasted Ibis hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Spot-breasted Ibis migrate?

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

Is the Spot-breasted 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 Spot-breasted Ibis's range?

The Spot-breasted Ibis has a mapped global range of about 2.8 million km².