The Straw-necked Ibis is a distinctive Australian waterbird, easily recognised by its long curved bill, bare dark head, white underparts and glossy black wings that can shimmer with green, bronze and purple in the light. Its name comes from the straw-like feathers on the lower neck, most noticeable in adult birds.
Common across wetlands, grasslands, paddocks, floodplains and agricultural areas, it often feeds by probing soft ground for insects, grubs, worms, frogs and other small prey. Sometimes called a useful bird for farmers, the Straw-necked Ibis can gather in large flocks after rain or during insect outbreaks, moving widely across the landscape in search of food and suitable breeding conditions.
Photographed in Katherine, NT
