Black-headed Ibis

The black-headed ibis, or Oriental white ibis, is the only native ibis in its range with all-white plumage and a bare black head and neck. Adults are 65–76cm long with a black, down-curved bill and black legs. In the breeding season the grey ornamental tail feathers turn jet black and bare patches under the wing become blood-red; some breeding birds gain a bluish tinge on the head or white plumes on the nape. The sexes are identical, and juveniles have greyish feathering on the neck and speckled brown-grey wings and back (Wikipedia, general species account).

Though usually thought of as a wetland bird, it forages in a range of natural and man-made habitats, and it nests only in the rainy season. Like storks and spoonbills it has no true voice and is silent except for ventriloquial grunts made by pairs at the nest. It is native across South and South-east Asia and occurs as a migrant or vagrant further north-east. In India it is resident across a very large range; SoIB 2023 estimates a long-term increase of about 110% with a stable current trend, and rates it a Low conservation priority (Wikipedia, general species account; SoIB 2023).