Welcome to You Ask Andy

Johnny Strums age 80 Indianapolisi In.

What is an ibis?

The most famous ibis is descended from the sacred birds of the ancient Nile. In olden times the Egyptians worshipped the ibis as a god of wisdom. The name ibis comes from the Greek language and means the bird of worship: Times have changed and people have learned better than to worship birds and animals. But the beautiful white and black bird is still a great favorite along the banks of the Nile,. He is loved and admired just as his cousin the stork is loved and admired in Europe.

The sacred ibis, as he is still called, is a large slender bird; He is a wader and always makes his home near a river or swamp. He loves to stand ankle deep in the water and often goes for a swim. In the air he is not so good. He flies in short glides with his long neck stretched out in front and his long legs stretched out behind. His body is covered with crisp white feathers which he keeps carefully oiled against the water. His tail is adorned with a bunch of lacy black feathers. His head and neck are covered with bare black skin.

A few of the 26 ibis cousins are native to the New World. All are warm climate birds and enjoy life in and out of watery swamps and rivers. So naturally we find our members of the ibis family in the damp regions of Central and South America. Two are often seen in the southern part of the United States. One is the white ibis who arrives in time to build his nest. The other is the glossy ibisp a dark bronzy‑green bird that flocks around Lake Okechobee in Florida. The bird of northern states which we call the wood ibis is not strictly an ibis. However, he is a stork cousin of the ibis.

The real beauties of the ibis family make their homes in the swampy forests of the Amazon River, One of these is the gorgeous scarlet ibis. This bird is brilliant red with blue‑black tips to his wings. 'He flocks together with his friends and relatives to make a magnificent spectacle in the lush Jungles.

A white ibis also dwells in these regions. He wears black wing tips and could be mistaken for his sacred cousin by the Nile. The glossy ibis of bronzy dark green also visits these regions: He has a cousin with the same dark colored body set off by a snow‑white face.

Most gaudy Papa birds have bad reputations when it comes to tending their children. Usually they are too busy showing off to help Mama bring up the babies, Some do not even lift a finger to help build the nest

Not so the ibis. Papa Ibis is a most devoted husband and father. He does most of the nest building himself' choosing a dry spot and lining it cozily with soft grasses; He even takes turns at sitting on the eggs. And when the little ones hatch he and Mama Ibis work together to feed them and educate them: Papa Ibis rates as a beauty in the bird world and also as a good family man, No wonder the ancient Egyptians thought so much of their wise and beautiful bird=

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