Oct 19

Bird of the day

Crested ibis

Nipponia nippon

The crested ibis (Nipponia nippon), also known as the Japanese crested ibis, or Asian crested ibis, is a species of ibis, native to eastern Asia. It is the only member of the genus Nipponia. In Japan, where it has special cultural significance, the name is toki (トキ).

It is a medium-sized to large ibis, 55–78.5 cm (21.7–30.9 in) long, with a bare red face, and a dense crest of plumes on the nape. The plumage varies with seasons; in winter, it is largely white with salmon-pink tones on the wings and tail; in summer, it is pale grey above and on the breast, with a darker grey shawl across its back, and white with a salmon-pink tinge below. In flight, the upper side of the wings and tail are white; the underside of the flight feathers on the wing and tail are strongly flushed pink. The bill is long and strongly downcurved, black with a red tip; the legs and feet are red.

Aliases

Nipponia nippon, Asian crested ibis