Hadada Ibis

About

The Hadada Ibis is a large, grey-brown ibis with a distinctive loud call, iridescent plumage, and a long, decurved bill. It is a common and widespread species across sub-Saharan Africa, often found in urban and suburban environments as well as natural wetlands and grasslands.

Size & lifespan

Length

65-76 cm

Wingspan

90-100 cm

Weight

1.0-1.3 kg

Lifespan

Up to 20 years in the wild

Diet

Omnivore (primarily insectivore and carnivore)

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Overall dull grey-brown, but with a striking iridescent sheen on the wings and back, displaying metallic green, bronze, and purple hues, especially in good light. The head and neck are plain grey-brown, often appearing streaky. A prominent white 'moustache' stripe extends from the gape below the eye.

Beak shape

Long, slender, and strongly decurved (downward-curving) bill, dark grey to blackish with a reddish-orange to red stripe along the upper mandible, particularly noticeable at the base.

Eye color

Dark brown.

Leg color

Dark grey to blackish.

Distinguishing features

Loud 'haa-haa-dah' call, iridescent plumage, white facial stripe, and reddish stripe on the upper mandible. Its large size and terrestrial foraging habits are also key.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble adults but have duller plumage with less iridescence, a shorter and less decurved bill, and a less prominent or absent reddish stripe on the upper mandible. Their legs and feet may also be paler.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal changes in plumage. The iridescence may appear more vibrant during breeding season due to better feather condition, but there are no distinct breeding or non-breeding plumages.

Sexual dimorphism

Males and females are generally monomorphic in plumage, though males may be slightly larger than females. No obvious visual differences in the field.

How to identify

1. 1

   Vocalization

   Listen for the unmistakable, loud, and raucous 'haa-haa-dah' call, especially at dawn, dusk, or when disturbed. This is often the first indication of its presence.

2. 2

   Plumage and Iridescence

   Observe the overall dull grey-brown body, but look for the metallic green, bronze, and purple sheen on the wings and back, particularly in good light. This iridescence is a key feature.

3. 3

   Facial Markings

   Note the prominent white 'moustache' stripe extending from the gape below the eye. This contrasts with the plain grey-brown head.

4. 4

   Bill Color

   Look for the long, decurved bill, which is dark grey to blackish, but with a distinctive reddish-orange stripe along the upper mandible, especially visible at the base.

5. 5

   Habitat and Behavior

   Often seen foraging on lawns, golf courses, parks, and open grassy areas, probing the ground with its bill. Its terrestrial feeding habit and presence in urban areas are good indicators.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Wetlands, grasslands, savannas, agricultural lands, urban and suburban areas, parks, gardens, golf courses.

Geographic range

Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, from Sudan and Ethiopia south to South Africa, and west to Senegal and Mauritania. Absent from arid regions of the Sahara and Namib deserts.

Elevation range

Sea level up to 3,000 meters, though most commonly found below 2,000 meters.

Preferred environments

Prefers open grassy areas near water bodies (rivers, dams, vleis, estuaries), but has adapted well to human-modified landscapes, often foraging on lawns and sports fields. Requires tall trees for roosting and nesting.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, active during daylight hours, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon.

Feeding habits

Primarily terrestrial foragers, probing soft ground with their long bills for invertebrates such as earthworms, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and their larvae. They also consume small reptiles, amphibians, snails, and occasionally carrion or human refuse. They often forage in small groups.

Social behavior

Highly social, typically found in pairs or small to large flocks, especially when roosting or flying to feeding grounds. They can form very large communal roosts in tall trees.

Flight pattern

Strong, direct flight with powerful, shallow wing beats. Often flies in V-formation or in a line when moving between roosting and feeding sites. Distinctive loud calls are often given in flight.

Migration pattern

Generally resident throughout its range, though some localized movements may occur in response to rainfall and food availability. Not considered a migratory species.

Territoriality

Pairs defend a small territory around the nest during the breeding season, but foraging grounds are generally shared.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Varies geographically, typically coinciding with the rainy season or post-rainy season when food is abundant. In South Africa, it's mainly August-March; in East Africa, it can be year-round with peaks.

Nesting habits

Nests are typically solitary, but sometimes loosely colonial. A shallow platform of sticks and twigs, lined with grass and leaves, built in the canopy of a tall tree, often near water or in urban parks. Both parents participate in nest building.

Clutch size

2-4 eggs

Egg description

2-4 (usually 3) eggs, pale greenish-blue or olive-brown, often speckled or blotched with reddish-brown or purplish-grey markings, particularly at the broader end.

Incubation period

25-28 days

Fledging period

33-40 days, but young remain dependent on parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.

Parental care

Both parents share incubation duties and care for the chicks, feeding them regurgitated food.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for their call. Their loud 'haa-haa-dah' call is often heard before the bird is seen, especially at dawn and dusk. Follow the sound.
2. Look on open lawns. Scan open grassy areas, particularly those that are well-irrigated or recently rained upon, as they actively probe for food there.
3. Check tall trees. They roost communally in tall trees, so check large trees at dawn and dusk for incoming or outgoing flocks.
4. Observe flight patterns. When flying, they often form V-formations or lines and frequently call, making them easier to spot against the sky.

Similar species

Quick facts

Common Name:

Hadada Ibis

Scientific Name:

Bostrychia hagedash

Family:

Threskiornithidae

Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Diet:

Earthworms, insects, small vertebrates

Habitat:

Wetlands, grasslands, urban areas

Distinctive Feature:

Loud 'haa-haa-dah' call and iridescent plumage

Fun facts

• The Hadada Ibis is named after its distinctive, loud call, which is often considered a quintessential sound of the African bush and increasingly, urban areas.
• Despite its preference for wetlands, the Hadada Ibis has shown remarkable adaptability to human-modified environments, thriving in cities and suburbs.
• They are excellent 'lawn mowers' in a biological sense, as their probing for invertebrates helps aerate the soil and control pest populations.
• Their iridescent plumage, while appearing dull grey-brown in poor light, can flash brilliant greens, bronzes, and purples when caught by the sun, a truly beautiful sight.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Pelecaniformes

Family

Threskiornithidae

Genus

Bostrychia

Species

Bostrychia hagedash

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