Southern Bald Ibis
VU

Southern Bald Ibis

Geronticus calvus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_bald_ibis

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Southern Bald Ibis faces significant pressure from habitat degradation caused by overgrazing, agricultural expansion, and urban development across its grassland breeding areas. Power line collisions represent a major mortality factor, particularly affecting adults during foraging flights. Human disturbance at breeding colonies, combined with predation by introduced mammals, has led to reduced breeding success and colony abandonment in several traditional nesting sites.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Southern Bald Ibis inhabits high-altitude grasslands, particularly short grassland areas used for foraging, and breeds on cliff faces and rocky outcrops in mountainous regions. The species is closely associated with well-managed grasslands that support abundant invertebrate prey, typically found at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters in South Africa and Lesotho.

Other threatened species in Threskiornithidae

Eurasian SpoonbillCR

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodia

Unknown
Black-faced IbisCR

Black-faced Ibis

Theristicus melanopis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Southern Bald Ibis classified as Vulnerable?
Southern Bald Ibis is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Southern Bald Ibis faces significant pressure from habitat degradation caused by overgrazing, agricultural expansion, and urban development across its grassland breeding areas. Power line collisions represent a major mortality factor, particularly affecting adults during foraging flights. Human disturbance at breeding colonies, combined with predation by introduced mammals, has led to reduced breeding success and colony abandonment in several traditional nesting sites.
Where does Southern Bald Ibis live?
Southern Bald Ibis occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Southern Bald Ibis?
The main threats to Southern Bald Ibis are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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