One of the most recognizable and noisy birds in sub-Saharan Africa, famous for its loud, honking call that sounds like a series of “haa-haa-haa-de-dah” cries — which is exactly how it got its name! Whether in rural villages, city suburbs, or open fields, the Hadada ibis is a common and beloved sight, often spotted in parks, golf courses, gardens, and wetlands.
This large, sturdy bird has a heavy, curved bill, perfect for probing the ground for food. Its plumage looks mostly dull grayish-brown from a distance, but up close, in the sunlight, you can see a beautiful wash of metallic green and purple iridescence on its wings — a hidden rainbow that often surprises people when they get a closer look. Its strong, slightly hunched build and bold demeanor make it quite distinctive among Africa’s birdlife.
The Hadada ibis is primarily a ground forager, moving slowly with its long legs as it searches for earthworms, insects, snails, and small reptiles. Thanks to specialized nerve endings in its long bill, it can feel vibrations in the soil and locate prey hidden underground — almost like a built-in metal detector! They often forage in small groups, sometimes following lawns, agricultural fields, or recently watered areas where the ground is soft.
Hadada ibises are extremely vocal at dawn and dusk, particularly when flying to and from roost sites. Their calls are so loud and resonant that they can echo through entire neighborhoods. And despite being such large birds, Hadadas are very good flyers, capable of soaring at impressive heights. They often fly in loose V-formations, calling constantly to each other, especially in the early morning.
Distribution
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
