Southern Bald Ibis
A species of Bald ibises Scientific name : Geronticus calvus Genus : Bald ibises
Southern Bald Ibis, A species of Bald ibises
Botanical name: Geronticus calvus
Genus: Bald ibises
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Alan Manson , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The southern bald ibis (Geronticus calvus) is an uncommon bird endemic to the highlands of the southern African region. In South Africa, the species’ total breeding population is estimated around 4 600 birds. However, little is known about the biology of this species. Its plumage is dark green with iridescent streaks of green, violet and bronze. The neck displays long feathers that are a blue-green shade. As adults, its shoulders display shades of copper. However, as juveniles, the plumage is predominantly a dull grey color. The bird's Latin name, Geronticus calvus, is translated as “bald, old man”, referring to the bird's featherless, wrinkled head and face. The head is the key feature in recognizing this species due to the evident bare whitish skin. On the top of the head, there is a red dome-shaped crown. The bills of these birds are down-curved and red, along with their legs. Similarly, their eyes are also colored an orange-red shade. 
Size
78 cm
Feeding Habits
Southern Bald Ibis primarily feeds on insects and other invertebrates, favoring maize stalk borer caterpillars. This bird forages in various terrains, notably avoiding marshy areas and tall grasses due to its fast-walk feeding style. They adapt to seasons, foraging in maize fields pre-breeding and burnt grasslands during breeding, with survival linked to these burned areas.
Habitat
Southern Bald Ibis predominantly occupies high-altitude grasslands, which are situated between 1,200 to 2,000 meters above sea level. These creatures prefer terrains characterized as 'sour grasslands,' often making their homes in recently burnt, plowed, mowed, or intensely grazed areas, as well as cultivated lands. Typically favoring short-grass habitats for foraging, southern Bald Ibis tends to avoid marshy regions in contrast to other ibis species in the vicinity. The species is native to mountainous and highland regions within broader geographical areas of South Africa, including parts of Lesotho and Swaziland. The nesting sites of southern Bald Ibis are strategically placed on cliffs near water sources, like river gorges or waterfalls, providing a secure environment for rearing their young.
Dite type
Herbivorous
General Info
Behavior
The southern bald ibis is a bird that feeds and roosts in large groups. They travel in groups of up to 100 individuals to find suitable foraging areas. As insectivores, their diet is composed mainly of insects and other small invertebrates found in burnt grasslands. The species live on cliff edges where they build their nests and for the most part, breed in colonies. They do little vocalizing besides occasional gobbling sounds.
Distribution Area
The southern bald ibis is a species with a very restricted homerange. It is estimated that there are only 4 600 breeding birds of this species in the South African region. The species is confined to the eastern regions of South Africa and are restricted to the highland and mountainous regions. Its range extends from the highlands of Lesotho extending into Swaziland. The birds may migrate short distances within their designated home ranges. These birds are cliff-nesters and breed in the open areas of mountain faces, as well as river gorges and sometimes around waterfalls. Their breeding habitat is composed mainly of mountainous grasslands that range in altitude from 1 200 to 2 000 meters above sea level. The grassland areas are labeled as ‘sour’ due to the low nutritional value of the foliage in late summer and early autumn due to the previous grazing of mammals.
Species Status
The southern bald ibis is currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, there is no immediate threat of the species going extinct. The bird is also listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), signifying that the trade of this species is substantially regulated. One of the greatest causes in the decline of this species is human disturbance at their breeding sites and the degradation of their habitat. Most of the breeding sites occur on privately owned land, whereas only a small minority of breeding pairs are located on nature reserves or state forest land, which are the only areas where they are guaranteed protection. Therefore, a large portion of the population is dependent on the efforts and contributions of private landowners. Furthermore, another threat is that the adult birds may be captured in order to collect the eggs and nestlings for food or medicine in some African tribal practices. The hunting of these birds has also been popular in farming populations to supplement their meat supplies. Local hunting continues to be a threat today.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Pelicans and Relatives Family
Ibises and spoonbills Genus
Bald ibises Species
Southern Bald Ibis 
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