Geronticus eremita
The waldrapp ibis has glossy black feathers, a long curved red beak, and an unfeathered pink face and head. They also have striking blue-ish purple feathers with a green tone.
Geronticus eremita
The waldrapp ibis has glossy black feathers, a long curved red beak, and an unfeathered pink face and head. They also have striking blue-ish purple feathers with a green tone.
The waldrapp ibis is found in coastal areas, near the banks of rivers, in rocky areas and on cliffs in Morocco, Turkey and Syria.
They live around 10-15 years in the wild, and up to 25 years in zoos.
Waldrapp ibis are omnivores (eat both plants and meat). Their diet is made up of insects, lizards, snakes, worms, berries, shoots, aquatic plants, small rodents and small birds.
The closest relative of the waldrapp ibis (also known as the northern bald ibis) is the southern bald ibis, the only other member of the Geronticus genus. The southern bald ibis is native to South Africa.
Flock
Lower Zoo
Aves
Pelecaniformes
Despite usually living near water, and unlike most members of the Ibis family, the waldrapp ibis is a non-wading bird.
The waldrapp ibis’ genus name Geronticus derives from the Greek for "old man", a reference to their wrinkled bald heads.
Thanks to fossil records, we know that bald ibises have been around for at least 1.8 million years!
Waldrapp ibis are monogamous, meaning they only have one mate during their lifetime. They breed in colonies on coastal or mountain cliff edges. After the eggs are laid, both the male and female care for them during incubation and after hatching, taking turns to scavenge for food.
Chick
25 days of incubation, both parents sit on the eggs
2 - 4 eggs in a clutch
3 - 5 years
70-80 cm in length and 1-1.3 kg in weight
Due to successful conservation actions, the waldrapp ibis has been reclassified as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, having been previously classified as Critically Endangered. However, their population size is still very small and conservation threats still remain.
Approximately 200-250 individuals
Threats facing the waldrapp ibis include habitat destruction and disturbance, poaching, loss of eggs and chicks to predators (ravens and vultures), and use of pesticides.
Dublin Zoo is part of a breeding programme for this species. We have funded a project in Morocco that allows waldrapp ibis to be tracked via satellite to monitor their behaviour so that they can be better protected.
Waldrapp ibis are omnivores (eat both plants and meat). Their diet is made up of insects, lizards, snakes, worms, berries, shoots, aquatic plants, small rodents and small birds.
The plural of ibis is ibis or ibises, though in older texts you might see “ibides” or “ibes”.
The waldrapp ibis is found in coastal areas and on cliffs in Morocco, Turkey and Syria.
Usually a group of ibis are called a flock.
The waldrapp ibis is not native to Australia. However, there is another species of ibis, the Australian white ibis, which as its name suggests is native to Australia.
Waldrapp ibis can fly. All living ibis species can fly.
Cranes and ibis are from separate orders and are therefore unrelated. Ibis are more closely related to pelicans and herons.
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