![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
Summary
Lowe, K. W., Clark, A. & Clark, R. A. 1985. Body measurements, plumage and moult of the Sacred Ibis in South Africa. Ostrich 56: 111–116.
Body measurements, plumage and moult of Sacred Ibis Threskiomas aethiopicus were studied at Pretoria from July 1973 to June 1974. Adult and immature Sacred Ibises are sexually dimorphic in size. Bill length alone can be used to sex most birds. Body mass, wing, tarsus and tail lengths overlap greatly between the sexes but males are generally larger than females. The sexes show similar patterns of variation in body mass and gonad size throughout the year. Juveniles follow a different pattern of variation in these parameters. The plumages of adults, immatures and juveniles are described and compared. There is no sexual dimorphism in plumage pattersn. Moult in adults occurs mainly in the post-breeding period from January to August, and in juveniles and immatures throughout the year. Adult Sacred Ibises have an-extensive, irregular and asymmetrical moult. Factors affecting sexual size dimorphism in African and Australian populations are discussed.