CR

White-shouldered Ibis

Pseudibis davisoni

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The White-shouldered Ibis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive wetland habitat destruction across Southeast Asia, with drainage of marshes and floodplains for agricultural conversion being the most significant threat. Hunting pressure and human disturbance at remaining breeding sites have further reduced populations, while dam construction and water diversion projects have altered the hydrological cycles essential for their feeding ecology. The species' dependence on large, undisturbed wetland complexes makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.

Threat summary

Habitat

White-shouldered Ibis inhabits large freshwater wetlands including marshes, swamps, flooded grasslands, and seasonal pools in lowland areas. The species requires extensive undisturbed wetland complexes with shallow water for foraging and adjacent grasslands or reed beds for nesting.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical dry· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical swamp· majorArtificial - Aquatic & marine· majorGrassland· majorWetlands (inland)· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryAwareness & communicationsCompliance and enforcementLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

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Frequently asked questions

Why is White-shouldered Ibis classified as Critically Endangered?
White-shouldered Ibis is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The White-shouldered Ibis faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive wetland habitat destruction across Southeast Asia, with drainage of marshes and floodplains for agricultural conversion being the most significant threat. Hunting pressure and human disturbance at remaining breeding sites have further reduced populations, while dam construction and water diversion projects have altered the hydrological cycles essential for their feeding ecology. The species' dependence on large, undisturbed wetland complexes makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.
Where does White-shouldered Ibis live?
White-shouldered Ibis occurs in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar (Burma) (plus 2 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to White-shouldered Ibis?
The main threats to White-shouldered Ibis are 1.1, 11.4, 2.1, and 2.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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