Red List of South African Species

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diagnostics

70-81 cm. A peculiar ibis with a unique bald, fleshy, bulging red crown. The sexes are alike in plumage although males are longer-billed and longer-legged. Plumage dark with green-blue iridescence; maroon to copper iridescence on shoulder. Feathered ruff around base of neck; hackles of ruff reduced in non-breeding adults. Face and upper throat bare and white. Neck dark and feathered. Bill, eye, legs and feet red. Immature similar but with duller, less domed crown, off-white face and less pronounced neck-ruff. Juveniles lack iridescence and have duller bare parts (Barnes 2005).

trophic

Southern Bald Ibis are found mostly in high-altitude grasslands, although they are known to use grasslands right down to the coast, including artificial grassland such as sports fields, golf courses and irrigated meadows (Manry 1985a,b). For breeding, the species requires cliffs with suitable ledges, generally above water. Apart from the modified grasslands mentioned above, the species also uses old maize fields, croplands, firebreaks and open spaces in towns when foraging. A generation length of ten years was provided by BirdLife International (2014).

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