Crested Ibis

The crested ibis historically ranged across temperate East Asia from central China to Hokkaido and from southeastern Siberia to Taiwan. ADW describes the remaining wild populations as restricted to China. Birds use mountain forest for nesting and nearby marshes, swamps, rice fields, and other shallow wetlands for feeding, generally at elevations of 500–1,000 metres. Adults average 75 cm long, span about 140 cm, and weigh around one kilogram. The sexes resemble one another, forming year-round monogamous pairs. (Animal Diversity Web)

Crested ibises probe wet ground and shallow water for fish, amphibians, insects, other arthropods, mollusks, earthworms, and aquatic crustaceans; seeds and grains are also recorded. Courtship begins in January and includes head bobbing and the presentation of nesting material. Annual breeding occurs from March through August. A pair produces one to five eggs, which hatch following 26–30 days of incubation. Both parents invest in the offspring, and the young remain in the nest until fledging at approximately 45 days old. (Animal Diversity Web)