Southern Bald Ibis vs African Sacred Ibis
Geronticus calvus compared with Threskiornis aethiopicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Southern Bald Ibis | African Sacred Ibis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Geronticus calvus | Threskiornis aethiopicus |
| Order | Pelecaniformes | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Threskiornithidae | Threskiornithidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 77.6 cm (30.6 in) | 72.8 cm (28.7 in) |
| Weight | 1202.0 g (42.40 oz) | 1522.0 g (53.69 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-3 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Southern Bald Ibis only
None
African Sacred Ibis only
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Southern Bald Ibis
Least Concern
African Sacred Ibis
About These Birds
Southern Bald Ibis
79 cm. Glossy black with metallic sheen; bare pink facial skin; red bill and legs. Endemic to South Africa and Lesotho in mountain grasslands and escarpments. Vulnerable; feeds on insects and small vertebrates in short grassland. Colonial breeder on cliff ledges; at risk from pesticides and habitat loss.
African Sacred Ibis
65–89 cm. White with bare black head and neck; black wingtips; red underwing stripe. Widespread sub-Saharan Africa, Nile Delta, and naturalised in southern Europe and elsewhere. Feeds by probing in wetlands and grasslands for invertebrates. Colonial breeder; associated with ancient Egyptian mythology.