Tuesday, January 26, 2010 . Page 4 It is not just citizens who get knocked out by Mumbai’s weather. A severely dehydrated blacked headed ibis was found by a Mahesh Patil on the terrace of Patil on the terrace of Patil Compound, Telecom Colony, Mankhurd, earlier this month.
“The bird was in a critical condition when it was brought to us. Its chances of survival were slim,” said Sunish Subramanian, Secretary, PAWS-Mumbai. “We suspect that for days the bird had been lying on the terrace without food or water.”
“We released the bird at Airoli Creek on January 24. The creek resembles the habitat of the ibis,” added Sunish.
Black-headed Ibis fact-file
Widespread in South Asia and Southeast Asia from Pakistan to India, Sri Lanka right up to Japan.
Breeding season: Usually nests during monsoon in mixed colonies in trees or bushes. Lays around 2-4 eggs.
Diet: Fishes, frogs, other aquatic life and insects.
Adults are typically 75 cm long and white plumaged, with some greyer areas on the wings. The bald head, neck and legs are black.
Both the sexes exhibit similar plumage, while juveniles have whiter necks and a black bill.Conservation status: Near threatened.
PAWS-Mumbai Mission Rescue & Release Black-headed Ibis
