Black-headed Ibis - Theskiornis melanocephalus
Another shot off the big bridge in Karnataka. Quite a long ranged shot and a bit over exposed. This is an adult bird in breeding plumage - the grey tertials show this. I think these birds wade and look for crayfish, frogs, small fish and so on, perhaps invertabrates in the mud judging from the down-curved bill.
The Asian population of these birds is estimated at 15-30,000 birds and they are undergoing a rapid population decrease and are listed as "Near Threatened"by Birdlife International. Drainage of wetlands, habitat disturbance, hunting - all of the usual pressures are taking their toll on these striking birds.
Karnataka, India
25 May 2012
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