Straw-necked Ibis
Threskiornis spinicollis
- FamilyThreskiornithidae
- Weight1.000 – 1.500 g
- HabitatWetlands, floodplains, irrigated fields and grasslands
Nest building by teamwork
Like most ibis, straw-necked ibis are gregarious birds. They breed in very large colonies near water. The nests are built by both parents. The male fetches the twigs while the female builds them into a shallow nest.
Bird with many names
The straw-necked ibis gets its name from the straw-like feathers on its neck and breast that appear during the breeding season. Another common name in Australia is farmer’s friend, because it eats pests such as grasshoppers and other insects that threaten the harvest.
In the often hot, dry landscape of Australia, the straw-necked ibis benefits from the agriculture: the irrigated pastures in its habitat serve as a source of food.
Distribution
