Northern Bald Ibis vs Southern Bald Ibis

Northern Bald Ibis

Geronticus eremita

Large1.2 kgRocky

The northern bald ibis is a large, glossy black bird, 70–80 cm (28–31 in) long with a 125–135 cm (49–53 in) wingspan and an average weight of 1.0–1.3 kg (35–46 oz). The plumage is black, with bronze-green and violet iridescence, and there is a wispy ruff on the bird's hind neck. The face and head are dull red and unfeathered, and the long, curved bill and the legs are red. In flight, this bird has powerful, shallow, and flexible wing beats. It gives guttural hrump and high, hoarse hyoh calls at its breeding colonies, but is otherwise silent.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: MPF · CC BY 2.5

Southern Bald Ibis

Geronticus calvus

Huge1.8 kgGrassland

The southern bald ibis (Geronticus calvus) is an uncommon bird endemic to the highlands of the southern African region. In South Africa, the species' total breeding population was estimated around 4,600 birds. As of 2020s, the total population is estimated between 6,500 and 8,000, with the breeding population between 1,600 and 2,000 birds. However, little is known about the biology of this species. Its plumage is dark green with iridescent streaks of green, violet and bronze. The neck displays long feathers that are a blue-green shade. As adults, its shoulders display shades of copper. Voice: The southern bald ibis is known to be a relatively quiet bird. This species in particular has been noted to make a weak gobbling sound. This is refers back to their old Afrikaans name of "Wilde-Kalkoen", otherwise translated as "wild turkey". This bird is most boisterous in the nesting areas and in flight. It projects a high-pitched keeaaw-klaup-klaup call, resembling that of a turkey's.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Shaun Swanepoel · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Northern Bald Ibis and Southern Bald Ibis.