BLACK-HEADED IBIS Threskiornis melanocephalus

Originally a race of Sacred Ibis but now afforded full species status this bird is found in India, Sri Lanks, Southeast Asia, and less commonly in Sumatra and Java. All three species look quite similar, this and African are monotypic, whereas the Australian White Ibis has two subspecies, one restricted to Rennell Island and a small island nearby. There used to be another in the genus on Reunion Island, described in 1948, it is now extinct.

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