Page 22 - Silver Lakes April 2021

NATURE

IBISES FOUND AT SILVER LAKES

By Albert Roos

Hadeda Ibis

ere are some interesting facts about
the Ibis species that we find at Silver Glossy Ibis
HLakes. There are 28 extant (still in
existence) species and six extinct species
of Ibis, worldwide. In South Africa, we have
four species with only three of them being
found at Silver Lakes. These three species
include the Glossy Ibis (Glans Ibis), African
Sacred Ibis (Skoorsteenveer) and the
Hadeda Ibis.

The Hadeda is probably the one we know
the best and possibly the one that we
like the least. In the 20 century, they
th
have increased their distribution by two
and a half times. This is due to several
factors - but mainly due to us. We plant
trees in areas where there were previously
none, and plant lawns with irrigation. We
inadvertently create a utopia for these
birds.

Hadeda Ibis - (Bostrychia hagedash)
It is named for its loud three- to four note
call that is uttered in flight, especially in
the mornings and evenings, when they
fly out or return to their roost trees. They
are found near wetlands and often live
in close proximity to humans, foraging in
cultivated lands, gardens and, in our case,
the golf course. They are non-migratory
birds.

20 INTRA MUROS APRIL 2021