Southern Bald Ibis

Geronticus calvus (Boddaert, 1783)

Southern Bald Ibis, Geronticus calvus, breeds in South Africa and is confined to highland and mountainous parts of the country. It is an ibis of open grassland and semi-desert in the mountains of southern Africa. This species is notable for its bare red head and face, together with a long red bill that curves downwards. It nests in colonies on rocks and cliffs, and the young are raised from two or three eggs. It is closely related to the waldrapp, Geronticus eremita, from northern Africa.

Order

Pelecaniformes

Family

Threskiornithidae — Ibises, Spoonbills

Breeding range

Africa: South Africa