Solomons white ibis

The Solomons white ibis (Threskiornis molucca pygmaeus) or Solomon Islands white ibis, known locally as the tagoa,[1] is a distinct, dwarf subspecies of the Australian white ibis. It is sometimes considered a full species Threskiornis pygmaeus. It is found only on Rennell and Bellona Islands, in the Solomon Islands of Melanesia, in the south-west Pacific Ocean.[2][3]

Solomons white ibis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Threskiornithidae
Genus: Threskiornis
Species:
T. molucca
Subspecies:
T. m. pygmaeus
Trinomial name
Threskiornis molucca pygmaeus
Mayr, 1931
Synonyms
  • Threskiornis pygmaeus
  • Threskiornis moluccus pygmaeus
  • Threskiornis aethiopicus pygmaeus

Behaviour

The ibis is fairly common and is seen in groups of up to 30 birds along roads, on beaches and in the forest. It also visits villages where it forages with the domestic chickens. It feeds on the ground on invertebrates. When breeding, it nests in small colonies in forest trees and on islands in Lake Tegano.[1]

References
  1. "Bird Life". Welcome to Lake Tegano. Tegano-lake.com. 2009. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
  2. "Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca)". HBW 1, p. 493. Lynx Editions – Internet Bird Collection. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  3. Lowe, Kim W. & Richards, Geraldine C. (1991). "Morphological Variation in the Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Superspecies Cornplex". Emu. 91 (1): 41–45. doi:10.1071/MU9910041.


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