Hadada Ibis

Bostrychia hagedash

Other Names

    Ibis hagedash   Hagedasch   Ibis Hadada   Hadadaibis   Hadada-ibis, Hagedach   Ibis hadada

World: Afrotropical species which is widespread S of 15°N except in the drier areas of E Somalia and the SW of the continent.

Kenya: Found mainly around permanent waters close to open forest or woodland. Notably absent from suitable habitats around Lake Turkana and on Mt Marsabit.

These birds have one of the most distinctive calls of all Kenyan birds. It is a loud, raucous Haa-Haa-Haa (or Haa-Daa-Daa - hence its name) which is belted out when they are in flight. They are particularly vocal at dawn and dusk on the way from and to their overnight roosts. They may be confused with the similarly dark plumaged Glossy Ibis but even at a distance the white cheek mark is clearly visible. These birds are often found foraging on lawns.