# Northern Bald Ibis (*Geronticus eremita*) The Northern Bald Ibis is a unique bird with a bald head and long, curved beak. They are social birds that love to live in groups and can often be found near wetlands searching for food. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Bald Ibis ![Northern Bald Ibis](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Geronticus_eremita.jpg&width=800) Photo: MPF, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geronticus_eremita.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Bald Ibis has glossy black plumage with an iridescent green-purple sheen. Its head and face are unfeathered, wrinkled, and reddish-pink, topped with a shaggy feather crest on its nape. It sports a long, decurved, red bill. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Pelecaniformes - **Family:** Threskiornithidae - **Genus:** Geronticus ## Interesting facts - Ancient Egyptians considered these birds sacred, drawing them in hieroglyphs and art! - Its bald, wrinkled head helps this bird stay clean when digging deep for tasty underground snacks! - Scientists are teaching young birds migration routes using microlight aircraft for conservation! - These unique birds have existed for over 1.8 million years, making them truly ancient! ## Special abilities - **Cliff Navigator:** Northern Bald Ibis can nest on steep, inaccessible cliffs that helps them protect their young from predators. - **Thermal Glider:** Northern Bald Ibis has broad wings that helps them soar efficiently on thermals, saving energy during migration. - **Sensitive Seeker:** Northern Bald Ibis can probe deep into soil with its long, curved bill that helps them find hidden prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 70-80 cm - **Wingspan:** 120-135 cm - **Weight:** 1-1.8 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-25 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-4 - **Incubation:** 24-28 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding They use their long, curved bills to probe for insects, small reptiles, and other tasty treats in the soil. - **Primary Foods:** Beetles, Crickets, Lizards, Small snakes, Scorpions, Snails - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle) (*Aquila chrysaetos*) — Eagles can prey on ibis chicks and eggs. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Foxes can raid nests for eggs and young birds. - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus campestris*) — Often probes soil to find and eat these insects. - **Hunts:** [Ocellated Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ocellated-lizard) (*Timon lepidus*) — Opportunistically hunts and consumes these reptiles. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always observe birds from a distance and do not disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Bald Ibis? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Northern Bald Ibis? 70-80 cm ### What is Northern Bald Ibis's wingspan? 120-135 cm ### How much does Northern Bald Ibis weigh? 1-1.8 kg ### How long does Northern Bald Ibis live? 10-25 years ### How fast can Northern Bald Ibis move? 60 km/h ### What does Northern Bald Ibis eat? They use their long, curved bills to probe for insects, small reptiles, and other tasty treats in the soil. ### Where is Northern Bald Ibis usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birmingham-wildlife-conservation-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [Micke Grove Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/micke-grove-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Tierpark Neumünster](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-neumunster) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Zoo - [Aachener Tierpark Euregiozoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aachener-tierpark-euregiozoo) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo - [Schwarzwaldzoo Waldkirch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/schwarzwaldzoo-waldkirch) — Baden-Württemberg, DE · Zoo - [Vogelpark Marlow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/vogelpark-marlow) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Northern Bald Ibis](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-bald-ibis) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Northern Bald Ibis: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-bald-ibis)