Northern Bald Ibis
Geronticus eremita
The Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) is a rare ibises and spoonbill found in 20 countries, weighing about 1.2 kg. The northern bald ibis, hermit ibis, or Waldrapp is a migratory Old World ibis found in open areas such as grasslands, rocky mountains, and semi-deserts, often close to running water.
About the Northern Bald Ibis
The northern bald ibis, hermit ibis, or Waldrapp is a migratory Old World ibis found in open areas such as grasslands, rocky mountains, and semi-deserts, often close to running water. This 70–80 cm (28–31 in) glossy black ibis, which, unlike many members of the ibis family, is non-wading, has an unfeathered red face and head, and a long, curved red bill. It breeds colonially on coastal or mountain cliff ledges, where it typically lays two to three eggs in a stick nest, and feeds on lizards, insects, and other small animals.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in France, Belgium, Portugal, United Kingdom, Netherlands.
When to see it
Best months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Northern Bald Ibis?
- 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). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Northern Bald Ibis?
- The Northern Bald Ibis is a large sized bird weighing about 1.2 kg.
- Where can you see a Northern Bald Ibis?
- The Northern Bald Ibis occurs in 20 countries, including Spain, Morocco, Sweden, Türkiye and Italy.
- What birds look similar to a Northern Bald Ibis?
- The Northern Bald Ibis is most easily confused with the Southern Bald Ibis.
- Is the Northern Bald Ibis endangered?
- The Northern Bald Ibis is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Northern Bald Ibis for real
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