Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Population justification
The total population is estimated to be 2,600-3,250 individuals (1,200-2,500 on Madagascar [Wetlands International 2002; F. Hawkins in litt. 2003; Delany and Scott 2006], and 300-750 on Aldabra, Seychelles [Rocamora and Skerrett 2001]). This is roughly equivalent to 1,733-2,166 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The species is inferred to be declining due to hunting pressure, habitat loss and degradation. Important habitats are affected by pollution, sedimentation and the encroachment of alluvial sands (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011). This species has declined rapidly in parts of Madagascar: 21 sites surveyed in 1998/1999 and again in 2005/2006 showed a decline from 715 individuals to 190 (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011), equivalent to 70-75%, or 90-100% over three generations (32 years). This trend is considered likely to have continued given this species's reliance on coastal mangrove habitats, which are continually degraded and destroyed associated with the rising human population. Elsewhere in its range however, it has remained stable. The species's population increased at Bay de Baly between 2000 and 2004, and appeared stable at Mahavavy Delta between 2002 and 2005 (R. Rabarisoa <i>in litt</i>. 2007). The population of <i>abbotti</i> appears to also be stable. Consequently, the species is suspected to have declined 50-70% over the past three generations.
Two races are known: T .b. bernieri, found in the saline coastal zone and inland fresh water zone of western Madagascar (R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2007, Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011) (fewer than 2,500 [Wetlands International 2002, F. Hawkins in litt. 2003], maybe as low as 1,200 mature individuals [Delany and Scott 2006], but latest estimates put the Madagascan population size at c.2,000 mature individuals [Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011, Perschke 2006, Andrianarimisa 2006] and declining [Wetlands International 2002, F. Hawkins in litt. 2003, Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011]). T. b. abbotti occurs on Aldabra, Seychelles (300-750 individuals [Rocamora and Skerrett 2001]), giving a total population of 2,300-2,750 individuals. The species's decline in Madagascar is shown by surveys in 2005 and 2006, in which 24 of the 26 sites revisited after surveys in the previous 10 years showed drastic reductions (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011). However, the species's population increased at Bay de Baly between 2000 and 2004, and appeared stable at Mahavavy Delta between 2002 and 2005 (R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2007).
Behaviour This species is sedentary, showing no evidence of either dispersal or migration (Hancock et al. 1992). Breeding is colonial and often occurs in mixed heron colonies (Morris and Hawkins 1998), with some mixed-nesting sites contained up to 200-250 nests of this species (Koenig 2012). Roosting also occurs colonially in groups of several dozen (Langrand 1990). It sometimes feeds alone but more often in pairs or small groups (Langrand 1990). Breeding has been observed at the start of the rainy season in the months of November and December (Langrand 1990). Habitat The species is believed to be ecologically more restricted than its African counterpart, being largely confined to lowland habitats (mean altitude of 91 occupied sites: 14.9m asl ± 3.81 SE, range 0 - 191 m asl [Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011]) in saline and brackish coastal zones, mainly mudflats, estuaries, mangroves and shallow brackish coastal lakes. During 2005 and 2006, 82.8% of birds surveyed occupied sites that were within 2 km of the coastline (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011). There are also observations from inland rice fields and freshwater lakes within forested areas, such as the Manambolomaty complex (Tingay and Gilbert 1999, R. Rabarisoa in litt. 2007). It breeds near to its foraging grounds (Morris and Hawkins 1998) and roosts on islets or in trees in the same area (Langrand 1990). Diet It feeds on worms, small crustaceans, snails, insects, spiders and various organic materials (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011). It will sometimes take small vertebrates including frogs, reptiles and young birds (Langrand 1990). Breeding site The clutch of two is laid in a small twig nest placed in a tree. It may also nest on the ground (Morris and Hawkins 1998).
Over 70% of the species's population in Madagascar resides outside protected areas (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011). It is threatened by the collection of eggs (F. Hawkins in litt. 2003, Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011), trapping of adults (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011) and taking of nestlings for food (Perschke 2006, Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011), with drastic declines observed over widespread areas. It is fearless whilst nesting and roosting, making it an easy target for hunters (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011). Existing legislation on hunting is weak and ineffective. The species is also threatened by habitat loss and degradation, with important habitats affected by pollution, sedimentation and the encroachment of alluvial sands (Andrianarimisa and Razafimanjato 2011). Increased sedimentation results from increases in soil erosion caused by slash and burn cultivation, and these effects are most prevalent in southern Madagascar where the species's population is low. In addition, mangroves are threatened with destruction for charcoal production (Perschke 2006).
Conservation Actions Underway
Coastal sites are poorly protected in western Madagascar. New wetland conservation intiatives include this species as a conservation target (M. Rabenandrasana in litt. 2003). The Aldabra atoll is a Special Reserve of the Republic of Seychelles, providing the strongest level of wildlife protection where the only permitted human activities are nature conservation and restricted ecotourism (Rocamora and Skerrett 2001). In 2005, the Malagasy Association Voronosy was created to protect the species in Bombetoka Bay by changing the attitude of villagers towards the bird and its habitat (Perschke 2006). This has been carried out through posters, education in schools and notices warning against the taking of nestlings or felling of trees. Several projects to develop income-generating activities are underway. A boat will be used for fishing, eco-tourism trips and patrols to protect the species's breeding colonies. The protection measures resulted in an increase in the numbers of young birds in 2006 (Perschke 2006). A small number of captive breeding populations exist, including at Weltvogelpark Walsrode (www.rhinoresourcecenter.com). Several new protected areas have been established in this species's range since 2011 (Razafindrajao et al. 2017).
65-89 cm. Unmistakeable large black and white ibis. Bare parts - bill, head, neck and legs - black. Primaries and secondaries tipped black, remainder white, although some birds have completely white primaries and secondaries (M. Rabenandrasana in litt. 2007). Similar spp. Easily separated from the all-dark Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus and the forest-dwelling Madagascar Crested Ibis Lophotibis cristata. The pale iris differentiates this species from its African mainland congener.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A., Clark, J.
Contributors
Allinson, T, Benstead, P., Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Hawkins, F., Khwaja, N., Rabarisoa, R., Rabenandrasana, M., Skerrett, A., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Tingay, R. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Malagasy Sacred Ibis Threskiornis bernieri. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/malagasy-sacred-ibis-threskiornis-bernieri on 21/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 21/12/2024.