Black-headed Ibis

The black-headed ibis, also called the Oriental white ibis, breeds in South and Southeast Asia from India east to Japan. It is the only native ibis in its range with all-white plumage and a black neck and head, and its down-curved bill and legs are also black. Adults are 65 to 76 cm long, and in the breeding season bare patches under the wing turn blood-red and grey tail plumes turn black (Wikipedia, general species account).

The sexes look alike; juveniles have greyish neck feathering and speckled brown-grey wings and back. Though often called a wetland bird, it forages in a range of natural and man-made habitats and nests only in the rainy season. Like storks and spoonbills it has no true voice, giving only ventriloquial grunts at the nest. Nationally Least Concern (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).