A photo of a Red-naped Ibis (Pseudibis papillosa)
Red-naped Ibis

Red-naped Ibis

Pseudibis papillosa

The red-naped ibis (Pseudibis papillosa) also known as the Indian black ibis or black ibis is a species of ibis found in the plains of the Indian Subcontinent. Unlike other ibises in the region it is not very dependent on water and is often found in dry fields a good distance away from water. It is usually seen in loose groups and can be told by the nearly all dark body with a white patch on the shoulder and a bare dark head with a patch of crimson red warty skin on the crown and nape. It has a loud call and is noisy when breeding. It builds its nest most often on the top of a large tree or palm. The red-naped ibis is a large black bird with long legs and a long downcurved bill. The wing feathers and tail are black with blue-green gloss while the neck and body are brown and without gloss. A white patch on the shoulders stands out and the top of the featherless head is a patch of bright red warty skin. The warty patch, technically a caruncle,[3] is a triangular patch with the apex at the crown and the base of the triangle behind the nape that develops in adult birds. The iris is orange red. Both sexes are identical and young birds are browner and initially lack the bare head and crown. The bills and legs are grey but turn reddish during the breeding season. The toes have a fringing membrane and are slightly webbed at the base. They are usually silent but call at dawn and dusk and more often when nesting. The calls are a series of loud braying, squealing screams that descend in loudness. This species can be confused with the glossy ibis when seen at a distance but the glossy ibis is smaller, more gregarious, associated with wetlands and lacks the white on the wing and has a fully feathered head.
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community of curious everyday people connecting with the natural world
Birda logo
Download Birda for free and join the community

Red-naped Ibis on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A photo of a Red-naped Ibis photographed in Tree India
🦩
Ameet Luhar
Sunday 19 Mar 2023 - 3:58am
India
A photo of a Red-naped Ibis photographed in  India
🦩
Ameet Luhar
Saturday 04 Mar 2023 - 3:30am
India
A photo of a Red-naped Ibis photographed in  India
🦉
Will Leedham
Monday 23 Jan 2023 - 4:50am
India
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Hemant Kirola
Sunday 01 Jan 2023 - 9:20am
India
Connect with nature,
Find your flock
Copyright © 2023 Chirp Birding Ltd. All rights reserved.