Black-headed Ibis look-alikes
Threskiornis melanocephalus
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Open the appSeveral birds can be mistaken for the Black-headed Ibis. Compare the key differences below to confirm your sighting.
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Oriental White Ibis
Threskiornis melanocephalus
Key differences
This is the same species. The name 'Oriental White Ibis' is an alternative common name for the Black-headed Ibis. There are no other species within its range that are easily confused with it due to its unique combination of features.
African Sacred Ibis
Threskiornis aethiopicus
Key differences
While morphologically very similar (white body, bald black head/neck, decurved black bill), the African Sacred Ibis has black tertials and a black trailing edge to the underwing, which are absent in the Black-headed Ibis. Their ranges do not naturally overlap, though feral populations of Sacred Ibis exist in some parts of the world.
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