Northern Bald Ibis

Birdorable Northern Bald Ibis

We recently added the Northern Bald Ibis to Birdorable. This bird is a non-wading species of Ibis with a feather-free head. Along with the Southern Bald Ibis, these birds prefer arid landscape over wetlands, and will breed on cliffs rather than in trees. These traits, along with their bald heads, separates these two species of ibis from all others. Unfortunately, the Northern Bald Ibis is a critically endangered species. Originally native to the Middle East, north Africa and south Europe, the species is no longer found in Europe and is declining in its remaining range. A group of 500 wild birds in Morocco make up the bulk of the population today. There are approximately 1100 Northern Bald Ibises living in captivity. The guidelines for conservation and reintroduction of the species were established at an International Advisory Group for Northern Bald Ibis (IAGNBI) conference in 2003. The release of captive birds into the wild has not been successful so far, but several different groups are hard at work on discovering a successful method of release to increase the wild population. Interestingly, the Northern Bald Ibis became one of the world's first protected species by decree of the Archbishop Leonhard of Salzburg in 1504. Despite this status the species still died out in Austria, along with the rest of Europe. And its struggles continue today. If you'd like to learn more about the Northern Bald Ibis and the work being done to save this critically endangered species, visit the IAGNBI website.

Northern Bald Ibis
Northern Bald Ibis by Luke Robinson, on Flickr

Comments

Ashira on April 9, 2010 at 1:03 PM wrote:
I followed some of your Twitter links - loved the story about the female Mallard choosing a lovely Wood Duck boy for her mate. : D I'd love to see if that turns out some pretty hybrids! The owl blog post you linked to made me really, really jealous. Banding birds is something I'd absolutely love to do someday. D: Have you guys had any up-close and personal experiences with birds you'd like to share? ^___^ Just so we're still on topic, though, those Ibises are gorgeous. ^^ (Although, if the plural of "axis" is "axes", I think the plural of "Ibis" should be "Ibes"! ^___^)
Birdorable on April 9, 2010 at 11:08 PM wrote:
Hi Ashira! I'm glad you like the Twitter links. Aren't those Great Grey Owls amazing?! I (Amy) see you have recently discovered my other blog at MagnificentFrigatebird.com... you'll see there that I have had some very up close encounters with some birds recently during my Raptor Internship (but no Great Greys). :)
little bird on October 23, 2010 at 10:26 AM wrote:
The ibis is adorable! Cute and funny-looking at the same time! Don't you agree? :)
Spurwing Plover on January 7, 2016 at 9:36 AM wrote:
And many other ibis out there as well
Reed on May 18, 2020 at 7:34 PM wrote:
I B I S
Spurwing Plover on May 21, 2022 at 7:24 AM wrote:
Some think this was the man eating Stymphaian birds in Hercules
Spurwing Plover on July 14, 2023 at 5:32 AM wrote:
The mascot of the University o Miami(Florida)is a really large Ibis named Sabastian

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