HOME | DD
WillemSvdMerwe — Sacred Ibis
#ibis #sacred #thoth #aethiopicus #threskiornis
Published: 2015-10-30 19:38:07 +0000 UTC; Views: 2911; Favourites: 142; Downloads: 42
Redirect to original
Description
The Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus, was revered by the Egyptians, associated with the god Thoth, who's often shown with an ibis head. Unfortunately, the species is extinct in Egypt today! It still occurs over sub-Saharan Africa, and in Iraq. These ibises are fairly common around my hometown of Polokwane, but I don't see them as much as I like to. The fluffy black plumes over the 'tail' actually sprout from the upper inner portions of the wings, and become glossy black in the breeding season. These ibises are associated with wetlands, where they roost and breed, but they often feed on dry land as well. Their curved bills are well suited for picking things from shallow water or for probing in the mud. Charcoal drawing, coloured in Photoshop.Related content
Comments: 34
Ibises are such a wonderful group of birds, they've got really unique looks! 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hiya! Over here in South Africa, this species is not rare at all, and the same in much of the rest of Africa. I guess they went extinct in Egypt because of the very intensive agriculture in the Nile delta.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Good to hear they're still common in the rest of their range. I was wondering since you wrote you didn't see them around as much as you'd like to, but luckily it's not due to rarity
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks, glad you think so!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I painted a scarlet ibis
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Amazing work! How tame is this African species? I remember their Australian cousins were bold enough to try and steal my sandwich while I was eating it!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks! No, these are not that tame at all! Indeed, they fly off when you get closer than about 50 m to them. I'd like to see those cheeky Australian ones!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'll have to see if I can find my photos from the trip, hopefully it's a good one!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Brilliant! I love your artwork and I enjoy reading your descriptions about the subjects.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I think it's the historical background, it's role in ancient Egypt, that has made this my favorite ibis 
Too bad they no longer occur in Egypt self; hope they're able to one day successfully re-introduce them
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks for the comment! I hope they can be re-established in Egypt too. Don't know if there's any such project in the works though ...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
There doesn't appear to be one as of yet. Maybe, one day, when politics have settled down
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I did tweak it a bit with Photoshop! Thanks for the comment!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
We saw a ton of them in World of Birds in Hout Bay - they were swooping in and stealing fish from the penguin exhibit! There were also signs warning people not to approach nests because of their stabby beaks.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I wish I could see some of them again, I like them! Over here though we have their relatives the hadedas a lot.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Those are the brown ones, right? There's a lot near our home. They're quite vocal!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Yep! Thanks for commenting.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
One of my favourite birds connected to mythology!
Also, when did the Sacred Ibis go extinct in Egypt?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I can't find an exact date ... I reckon about a thousand years or more ago.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Ah. Thank you for replying!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Ibises are so neat. I've never seen this species of ibis before.
You have a way of making your pictures seem like real 3D, it's amazing. 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Indeed it was! Thanks for commenting.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
