Southern Bald Ibis

Afrikaans name: Kalkoenibis

Southern Bald Ibis

Photo © Steven Herbert

Geronticus calvus

The Southern Bald Ibis is a rather strange looking bird with its bald head capped in red, red legs and bill and dark greenish-black plumage. They can normally be seen striding along areas of short grass looking for food.

They are only found in the higher grassland areas of South Africa and prefer areas of short grass particularly after it has been burnt.

The Southern Bald Ibis is typically gregarious and can often be seen in flocks although they can be seen singly as well. Their population numbers were in decline but have stabilised at around 2,000 pairs.

Whilst patrolling the grassland they feed on a wide variety of prey including frogs, small mammals, birds, worms, insects and snails.

Despite being fond of grassland areas they make their nests on cliff ledges in mountanous areas. Between 1 and 3 eggs are laid in a nest made of sticks. Both parents tend to the eggs and chicks.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	82	Geronticus calvus
2nd	82	Geronticus calvus
3rd	82	Geronticus calvus
4th	82	Geronticus calvus
5th	92	Geronticus calvus
6th	92	Geronticus calvus
7th	457	Geronticus calvus

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	82	Bald Ibis
2nd	82	Bald Ibis
3rd	82	Bald Ibis
4th	82	Bald Ibis
5th	92	Bald Ibis
6th	92	Bald Ibis
7th	457	Southern Bald Ibis

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	82	Wildekalkoen
2nd	82	Wilde-Kalkoen
3rd	82	Wilde-Kalkoen
4th	82	Wilde-Kalkoen
5th	92	Kalkoenibis
6th	92	Kalkoenibis
7th	457	Kalkoenibis

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 40

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 101

Wild Issue 44 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 60

The Rare Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P.A. Clancey - Published: 1985 - Page: 71

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 107

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 31

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 58

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 65

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 73

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 70

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 55

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 72

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 50

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 182

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 37

Rare Birds of the World - Author: Guy Mountford & Norman Arlott - Published: 1988 - Page: 107

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 84

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 62

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 84

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 74

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 10

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 34

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 27

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 7

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 51

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 166

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 45

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 166

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds