Ibisbill

Ibidorhyncha struthersit

Beak

—

Feet

—

Crest

No crest

Resident. Himalayas. Adult has black face. downcurved dark red bill. and black and white breast-bands. in flight. shows white patch at base of inner primaries and blackish tail - band. Juvenile has brownish upperparts with bull fringes, faint breast - band, and dull legs and bill. Single birds, pairs or small groups forage inconspicuously and quietly in mountain rivers and streams. Usually quite wary; if alarmed nervously bobs its head and wags its tail. Seeks aquatic invertebrates by walking slowly through water, using its long decurved bill to probe around and under stones; frequently wades belly-deep. Fast-flowing mountain streams a ndrivers with shingle bads.