Also known as the Waldrapp ibis, these long-legged birds were once found throughout central Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Due to population loss, they are now only found in the wild in Morocco, central Syria and southeast Turkey.
The life of a northern bald ibis
Northern bald ibises grow to 27.5 to 31.5 inches, weigh eight to 10 pounds and live 10 to 15 years in the wild, and up to 25 years in human care.
They can be found in flocks from a few birds up to around 100 birds. They forage for food together on the forest floor during the day and roost in trees at night. Males and females mate for life and build nests together. Females lay two to four eggs at a time, which hatch after 24 to 28 days. Both parents care for the young.
Northern bald ibises are scavengers with an omnivorous diet. They mainly eat fish, invertebrates, frogs and small mammals, and occasionally eat small birds, berries, vegetation and aquatic plants.
Their main predators are larger birds of prey of the corvid and raptor species.
Northern bald ibis conservation
Northern bald ibises are endangered due to habitat loss, illegal hunting and urban and agricultural development. Predators also attack their nests and feast on their eggs. This makes breeding challenging and results in more population loss. However, populations have been on the rise in recent years through conservation efforts and the northern bald ibis has been moved from critically endangered to endangered.
Northern bald ibis at the zoo
Located in the Flamingo Lagoon section of the Africa area.
