Family: Threskiornithidae (Ibises, Spoonbills)

Authority: (Boddaert, 1783)

Red List Category

Criteria: A3c; C2a(ii)

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Justification of Red List category
The population appears to have been largely stable over recent decades, with no evidence of significant declines. There continue to be colony abandonments but the overall apparent stability of the population indicates that, to date, these result a redistribution of adults rather than in declines. Equally new colonies are being located and it is unclear if recent rates of abandonment exceed rates of formation. However, detailed habitat modelling has predicted a future decline in suitable habitat equivalent to 29% over the next three generations. While the magnitude of the effect on the population of this predicted change is unclear, it is suspected to result in a slow to moderately rapid future population reduction if the areal loss of habitat is not compensated by productivity increases.
With a small population that is suspected to suffer a future population reduction, and with the rate of this reduction suspected to approach threatened thresholds, the species is assessed as Near Threatened. If a consistent population decline becomes evident the species would require reassessment at a higher threat category. Continued population monitoring is required.

Population size: 7000-8000 mature individuals

Population trend: stable

Extent of occurrence (breeding/resident): 228,000 km²

Country endemic: no

Attributes
Land-mass type - continent
Realm - Afrotropical
IUCN System - Terrestrial
AEMLAP