About Bostrychia carunculata (Ruppell, 1837)
The wattled ibis (scientific name Bostrychia carunculata (Ruppell, 1837)) is a medium-sized crested bird. Adults have a basic dark brown base body color, with dull green glossed plumage. It can be distinguished by the combination of its dark coloration, crest, and extensive white wing patch. It has a relatively short bill, a fairly long tail, and a small thin red wattle that hangs from its throat, reaching about 20 mm in length. Its brown feathered face has a dusky red bill, and its red eye is surrounded by a white ring. Adult body length ranges from 65 to 75 cm. This species occurs across the Ethiopian highlands, at altitudes from 1500 m up to the highest moorlands at 4100 m, and has also been recorded on the coast of Eritrea. It prefers meadows and highland river courses. It is often found in rocky areas and cliffs, where it roosts and breeds, but also lives in open country, cultivated land, city parks, and mixed forests of Olea africana olive trees and Juniperus procera junipers. It has become well adapted to human-altered (anthropic) landscapes and conditions, and can be seen year-round in green spaces and lawns, for example in downtown Addis Ababa. The wattled ibis is described as common to abundant.
