Updated
The African sacred ibis is a white wading bird with a bare black head and neck, a long down-curved black bill and black plumes over its tail. It was revered in ancient Egypt, where it was linked to the god Thoth and mummified in huge numbers. In Uganda it is common around lakes, swamps, rubbish dumps and farmland, including Entebbe, Kampala, the Lake Victoria shore and the national parks.
Habits
Sacred ibises feed by probing mud and grass with their bills for insects, worms, frogs and small fish, and they also scavenge around towns. They roost and nest in noisy colonies in trees, often with egrets, herons and cormorants. Uganda also has the hadada ibis, with its loud “ha-ha-ha” call heard in gardens, and the glossy ibis in wetlands.
Where to see it
You will see sacred ibises around Entebbe, on the Lake Victoria shore and at wetlands across the country, as well as on the Kazinga Channel and at Lake Mburo. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guides to the marabou stork, Uganda’s wetlands, Lake Victoria and Uganda birding.
Frequently asked questions
It was revered in ancient Egypt and linked to the god Thoth.
Around Entebbe, Lake Victoria, wetlands and the parks.
Insects, worms, frogs, small fish and scraps.
The hadada ibis and the glossy ibis.
