One thing I never saw in the UK was Ibises. Well, only in the zoo.
But we have a few types here in Cape Town, and this is (probably) the most common. Step forward Bostrychia hagedash – the Hadeda Ibis. One of the few local birds which has the same name in English and Afrikaans (see also Bokmakierie and Hamerkop), it’s named for its call. Honestly then, it should be the Raap-Raap Greer Ibis, but let’s not get picky.
These may be rather dull and drab, with a well-earned reputation for being very noisy, but they’re also curious, gentle birds and I love them. And their Linnean name (see above) sounds just like something out of a well-known book and film series about a school of witchcraft and wizardry.
We’ve got a few more that have come into our area over the last couple of months, and I would much rather have them here than damned Egyptian Geese or (more) Guineafowl.
So, yes: more of this please (just not at 6am on the weekends, thank you very much).