The internet tells us, African Sacred Ibis (Threskionis aethiopicus) was once prolific in Egypt and ...

The internet tells us, African Sacred Ibis (Threskionis aethiopicus) was once prolific in Egypt and is depicted in many ancient Egyptian wall murals and sculptures. It is also found as mummified specimens at many burial sites and played a significant religious role,

The 'ibis' represented the god Thoth, god of wisdom, knowledge and writing, and was considered the herald of the flood. It was also of practical use to Egyptian villagers as it helped to rid 'fish ponds' of water snails that contained dangerous liver parasites. However, it is now extinct throughout Egypt because of gradual aridification through swamp drainage and land reclamation. The African Sacred Ibis is now found only in Sub-Saharan Africa and south eastern Iraq, 

This one I found and photographed over the weekend in early morning light a little closer to home at Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Pretoria - South Africa. 

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