Definition:

(noun) The scientific bird family classification that includes all ibises and spoonbills. There are approximately 30-35 species in this family depending on how individual species and subspecies are classified. They are widespread throughout the world, appearing on every continent except Antarctica, though they are most common in tropical regions. These birds generally prefer wetter habitats ranging from damp or flooded fields to marshes and wetlands, but their habitat choices are more diverse during migration periods.


While there is a good deal of size and plumage variation among birds in this family, characteristics that many of the Threskiornithidae species share include:

• Very long legs, long, thin necks and broad wings
• Colonial nesting habits, though forest species are more solitary
• Specialized bill shapes for efficient foraging – strongly decurved or round spatulate shapes are common

The most familiar Threskiornithidae birds include the white ibis, scarlet ibis, roseate spoonbill, Eurasian spoonbill and African sacred ibis.

Photo – Glossy Ibis © Derek Keats

Pronunciation:

threhs-KEEE-or-nih-THEEE-deye or threhs-KEEE-or-nih-thih-day

Also Known As:

Ibises, Spoonbills