Ibis, red-naped

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Change in feeding behaviour

2020- 23

Kushagra Dixit, March 12, 2023: The Times of India

Red-Naped Ibis- Some details
From: Kushagra Dixit, March 12, 2023: The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Ecologists have observed new feeding behaviour and alterations in the food habits of the red-naped ibis (Pseudibis papillosa), a carnivorous waterbird, suggesting the species is adapting to city life.

While the bird was previously thought to be entirely carnivorous, it was observed consuming nectar from the flowers of Bombax ceiba (semal tree) in Delhi. The ibis has not been known to consume this kind of food anywhere in the world.

The observations by Neha Sinha, a conservation biologist from Bombay Natural History Society, are part of a scientific journal by IUCN Species Survival Commission, titled "Nectar in the diet of the red-naped ibis" and were made between March 2020 and February 2023 at Africa Avenue in Delhi.

The study found the juvenile ibis taking nectar for a longer period than adults, suggesting the younger ones may be more adventurous or flexible. It also raised the possibility of the species being a pollinator. Although described as a waterbird, the species can adapt to diverse conditions, including learning to secure a new food source in one of the world's most populated cities.

In the journal, Sinha said, "Given the delicate nature of bill-dipping, it's possible the red-naped ibis is a novel pollinator of B. ceiba.

Discoveries of such multispecies interactions in heavily crowded urban areas are greatly uncommon... The small but growing number of such documentations from South Asian urban and farm landscapes are suggestive of the absence of direct persecution of large waterbirds by people."

Ecologists believe adaptational behaviour may become common due to ibis learning from each other.

"Ibis have not been previously known to consume nectar. Some of the species are known to be flexible with their food habits, but the red-naped ibis seems to have discovered flowering semal in Delhi as a new food source. This shows its resilience," said KS Gopi Sundar, chair of IUCN Stork, Ibis and Spoonbill Specialist Group.

Calling the bird "very adaptable", Sinha said, "It's classified as a waterbird but it's seen away from the water too. I have observed it hunting snakes in Lodhi Garden, others have found it nesting on towers. It seems to be adjusting to city life and finding ways to survive. Birds change behaviour based on available resources. The observation at Africa Avenue asserts a vegetarian aspect."