Madagascar Crested Ibis

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The Madagascar Crested Ibis, Lophotibis cristata also known as the White-winged Ibis or Crested Wood Ibis, is a medium-sized (approximately 50cm long), brown-plumaged ibis. It has bare red orbital skin, yellow bill, red legs, white wings and its head is partially bare with a dense crest of green or gloss blue and white plumes on the nape. The Madagascar Crested Ibis is the only member in the genus Lophotibis.

The Madagascar Crested Ibis is endemic to the woodlands and forests of Madagascar. Its diet consists mainly of insects, spiders, frogs, reptiles, snails and invertebrates. The female usually lays three eggs in platform nest made from twigs and branches.

Due to ongoing habitat loss, limited range and overhunting in some areas, the Madagascar Crested Ibis is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of threatened Species.

References

Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is near threatened

External links

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Last updated on Sunday March 02, 2008 at 13:12:34 PST (GMT -0800)
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