Nipponia – Crested ibis

A beautiful bird known for its striking appearance and unique features. It is native to parts of East Asia, including China and Japan, where it has become a symbol of nature conservation. This bird is easily recognized by its bright white feathers, long legs, and the distinctive crest of feathers on its head, which gives it its name.

One of the most noticeable things about the crested ibis is its long, curved beak. This beak helps the bird search for food, like fish, frogs, and small insects, in wetlands, rice fields, and shallow rivers. The crested ibis spends a lot of time near water, using its beak to probe the mud and water for prey. Its legs are also long and slender, allowing it to wade through shallow water as it hunts.

The crested ibis’s feathers are mostly white, but during the breeding season, the bird’s head and neck take on a pinkish color. This color change is believed to be linked to hormones, making the bird even more noticeable during mating time. The crest on its head, which is a tuft of feathers, adds to its elegant appearance, making it look even more striking. Its face is bare and reddish, giving it a sharp contrast against its white body.

By the 1980s, only a handful of these birds were left, and they were all found in a remote part of China. Thanks to conservation efforts, including breeding programs and habitat protection, the population has slowly started to recover. Today, there are more crested ibises in the wild, although they are still considered endangered.