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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Threskiornithidae
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  5. Threskiornis
  6. ›
  7. Australian White Ibis
Australian White Ibis
Photo · Hari Krishan

BirdUp · Species

Australian White Ibis

Threskiornis molucca(Cuvier, 1829)

Updated 11 April 2026

Also known asGali-galiiMura-muraYalgonali

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
PELECANIFORMES
Family
Threskiornithidae
Genus
Threskiornis

At a glance

The Australian White Ibis is a very large bird, about 65–75 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia.

Size
65–75 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
  • Identification
  • Where
  • Behaviour

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does an Australian White Ibis look like?

The Australian White Ibis is a very large bird, about 65–75 cm long and weighing 1300–2350 g.

The Australian white ibis is a wading bird of the family Threskiornithidae. It is widespread across much of Australia. It has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long downcurved bill, and black legs. While it is closely related to the African sacred ibis, the Australian white ibis is a native Australian bird. Contrary to urban myth, it is not a feral species introduced to Australia by people, and it does not come from Egypt.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
65–75 cm
Weight
1300–2350 g
Wingspan
110 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

flight

  • The bird flies with its neck fully extended and legs trailing, alternating between steady wingbeats and short, soaring glides.

plumage

  • Look for distinctive, lacy black plumes that drape over the rear of the body like a shaggy 'bustle'; these are actually elongated inner wing feathers rather than true tail feathers.
  • A narrow strip of bare, bright red skin is visible on the underside of the wing near the body, most obvious during flight or when the bird is stretching.
  • Juvenile birds can be distinguished from adults by their fully feathered heads and necks, lacking the bald black skin of mature individuals.

size_and_shape

  • The thick, black, down-curved bill has a diagnostic 'scimitar' shape and is significantly longer than the bare, black head.

voice

  • Listen for a harsh, guttural croak or deep grunt, usually heard when the bird is startled or during social interactions.

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does an Australian White Ibis eat?

The Australian White Ibis feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, terrestrial vertebrates, carrion, intertidal invertebrates and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks.

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Australian White Ibis live in Australia?

The Australian White Ibis is native to Australia.

Breeding range
Wallacea, New Guinea, Australia and Solomon Is.
Non-breeding range
Widely dispersive and nomadic; range expands throughout the Australian interior in response to rainfall and contracts to coastal refugia during drought.