Bible Birds – Ibises
African Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) by Lee Lowry Park Zoo
and for a long time birds and hedgehogs, and ibises and ravens shall dwell in it: and the measuring line of desolation shall be cast over it, and satyrs shall dwell in it. (Isaiah 34:11 Brenton)
The family Threskiornithidae includes 34 species of large wading birds. Members of the family have long, broad wings with 11 primary feathers and about 20 secondaries. They are strong fliers and, rather surprisingly, given their size and weight, very capable soarers. The body tends to be elongated, the neck more so, with rather long legs. The bill is also long, decurved in the case of the ibises, straight and distinctively flattened in the spoonbills. They range from the Dwarf Olive Ibis (Bostrychia bocagei), at 45 cm (18 in) and 450 g (1 lb), to the Giant Ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea), at 100 cm (40 in) and 4.2 kg (9.2 lb).
See:
Bible Bird – Roseate Spoonbill
Birds of the Bible – Isaiah 34:11
Birds of the World – Threskiornithidae – Ibises, Spoonbills
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