Bald Ibis
Geronticus Calvus
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Diet
Insects and some small vertebrates usually found in burnt grasslands & maize fields.
Breeding
Cliff nester building stick nests (2 -3 eggs) on open cliff facing mountains and around river gorges and waterfalls. The nutrient poor grasslands are burnt regularly every three years in this area and their breeding cycle is linked to the spring and autumn grassland fires
At The Zoo
This is an extremely rare species in captivity and really only Walsrode zoo in Germany exhibit this species other than here at Exmoor. We have two pairs (one breeding) and offspring have been sent to Calgary in Canada as part of the international breeding program.
Habitat
A “vulnerable” species with probably less than 4,600 individuals in the wild but relatively safe and widespread in and around Lesotho and Swaziland.
Fun Facts
This and the Northern Waldrapp ibis are the only 2 species of ibis to have no feathers on their head and face! They breed on cliffs instead of trees and prefer an arid/dry habitat for foraging unlike all the other ibis species.
Behaviour
Flock species of up to 100 birds which can migrate to and from previously grazed grasslands (nutritionally poor with low grass). Feed and roost in flocks.