Rare black-headed Ibis spotted in Thoothukudi Salt Pans
About the Species:
Scientific name: Threskiornis melanocephalus
Medium sized wading bird with white body, black head and neck, and long down-curved bill.
Habitat & Distribution
oFound in wetlands, marshes, ponds, rivers, and salt pans.
oIn India, distributed across Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, and other coastal regions.
Plays a role as an indicator species for wetland health; presence signals ecosystem recovery.
Conservation Status:
oIUCN: Near Threatened
oWildlife Protection Act: Schedule 4
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
