How to identify the Northern Bald Ibis

To correctly identify the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

70-80 cm

Wingspan

125-135 cm

Weight

1.0-1.5 kg

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adults have glossy black plumage with metallic green, bronze, and purple iridescence, especially on the wings and back. The flight feathers are duller black. The neck has a shaggy ruff of elongated feathers.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Long, slender, strongly decurved (downcurved) bill, bright red in adults.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Reddish-pink to dull red.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Unmistakable featherless, reddish-pink head and face, contrasting sharply with the dark, iridescent body plumage. The long, decurved red bill is also a key feature. A shaggy ruff of feathers around the neck is prominent.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles have a feathered head and neck, covered in dull greyish-brown down, which gradually recedes to expose the bare skin as they mature. Their bill is duller, and legs are greyish-pink. Plumage is less iridescent than adults.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes. The intensity of the bare skin coloration on the head and bill may become more vibrant during the breeding season.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Males and females are generally similar in appearance, though males tend to be slightly larger.

Key field marks

• Bare Head and Bill. Look for the distinctive featherless, reddish-pink head and face, and the long, decurved red bill. This is the most striking and unique feature.
• Plumage Coloration. Observe the glossy black body plumage with iridescent green, bronze, and purple sheens, especially visible in good light on the wings and back.
• Flight Profile. In flight, note the outstretched neck and trailing legs, and the powerful, direct wing beats. They often soar on thermals.
• Habitat. Search in arid, rocky, cliff-dominated landscapes, particularly near open foraging areas like steppes or agricultural fields.
• Social Behavior. Look for them in colonies on cliff faces or foraging in groups in open areas.

Explore the Northern Bald Ibis