Invasive Alien Species in Belgium: Threskiornis aethiopica

Naturalization

This species is not yet naturalised in Belgium.

Establishment potential in Belgium : high

It is already invasive in : France

Invasiveness

Reproduction in the wild:	no
Dispersion potential:	high
Natural habitats:	high

More on naturalization and invasiveness: Coastal areas and inland wetlands.

Impacts on Species

Predation / Herbivory:	high
Competition:	likely
Disease transmission:	unknown
Genetic effects:	low

Impacts on Ecosystems

Nutrient cycling:	low
Physical alteration:	medium
Natural successions:	low
Food web alteration:	low

More on impacts: Sacred ibis forms colonies up to several thousand pairs. It is an opportunistic feeder preying upon amphibians, fish, insects and freshwater invertebrates. It is reported to consume heron and tern eggs. Competition with other bird species is poorly documented.

Data Source & References

Authors:	Anselin Anny, Branquart Etienne, Strubbe Diederik, Weiserbs Anne
Published on:	14 February 2008
Last update:	11 December 2013

References:

Bastian, S., Yesou, P., Clergeau, P., Laroucau, K., Pellerin, J.L., Hars, J., Bazus, J., Passet, A., Lagrange, P. & L'Hostis, M. (2010)

Eléments pour l’évaluation des risques sanitaires liés aux Ibis sacrés (Threskiornis aethiopicus) en France.

Rapport d’étude pour la Direction Régionale de l’Environnement Bretagne et la Direction Régionale de l’Environnement, de l’Aménagement et du Logement des Pays de la Loire.

Clergeau, P. & Yesou, P. (2006)

Behavioural flexibility and numerous potential sources of introduction for the sacred ibis: causes of concern in Western Europe?

Biological Invasions 8: 1381-1388.

Clergeau, P., Reeber, S., Bastian, S. & Yésou, P. (2010)

Le profil alimentaire de l’ibis sacré Threskiornis aethiopicus introduit en France métropolitaine : espèce généraliste ou spécialiste ?

Rev. Ecol. (Terre & Vie) 65:1-12.

Clergeau, P., Yésou, P. & Chadenas, C. (2005)

Ibis sacré Threskiornis aethiopicus, état actuel et impacts potentiels des populations introduites en France métropolitaine.

Rapport INRA-ONCFS, Rennes – Nantes, 52p.

Epstein, J.H., McKee, J., Shaw, P., Hicks, V., Micalizzi, G., Daszak, P., Kilpatrick, A.M. & Kaufman, G. (2007)

The Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca)as a reservoir of zoonotic and livestock pathogens.

EcoHealth 3(4): 290-298.

Herring, G. & Gawlik, D.E. (2008)

Potential for successful population establishment of the nonindigenous sacred ibis in the Florida Everglades.

Biological Invasions 10(7): 969-976.

Jacob, J.P. et al. (Eds) (2009)

Atlas des oiseaux nicheurs de Wallonie.

Aves et Centre de Recherche de la Nature, des Forêts et du Bois (MRW, DGRNE), Série "Faune-Flore-Habitats".

Kayser, Y., Clément, D. & Gaulthier-Clerc, M. (2005)

L'Ibis sacré Threskiornis aethiopicus sure le littoral méditerranéen francais: impact sur l'avifaune.

Ornithos 12: 84-86.

Lagrange, P. (2008)

Etude du comportement d’alimentation des Ibis sacré (Threskiornis aethiopicus) hors période de nidification en Loire-Atlantique.

Travail d’Etude et de Recherche pour l’obtention du Master 1 de Bioproduction des Ecosystèmes Aquatiques et Terrestres. Nantes : Université de Nantes, 36p.

Pascal, M., Lorvelec, OL, Vigne J.D., Keith, P. & Clergeau, P. (2003)

Evolution holocène de la faune de vertébrés de France: invasions et extinctions.

INRA, CNRS, MNHN & MEDD.

Smits, R.R., van Horssen, P. & van der Winden, J. (2010)

A risk analysis of the sacred ibis in the Netherlands.

Bureau Waardenburg b.v., commissioned by Invasive Alien Species Team, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, 55 p.

Strubbe, D., Shwartz, A. & Chiron, F. (2011)

Concerns regarding the scientific evidence informing impact risk assessment and management recommendations for invasive birds.

Biological Conservation 144: 2112-2118.

Yesou, P. & Clergeau, P. (2005)

Sacred Ibis: a new invasive species in Europe.

Birding World 18(12): 517-526.