Common Name: Waldrapp Ibis Scientific Name: Geronticus eremita
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED Waldrapp Ibis Distribution: North West Africa Habitat: Grasslands & Freshwater Height: 70 - 80cm Weight: 1.1 - 1.3kg Diet: Carnivorous
The Waldrapp ibis has a wingspan of approximately 130 cm. This ibis has a very distinctive bright red curved bill, a bald red head and crest of long dark feathers at the back of the head. The rest of the Waldrapp ibis is covered in black plumage, it also has very visible bright red legs The ibis is only found in Morocco and Mauritania. Here, they are found in open dry grassland areas. They move along the edges of rivers probing in the mud and under stones. The ibis feeds using its beak to probe in the mud for a range of creatures including worms, snails, insects, spiders and frogs. The ibis sleep and nest on cliff edges. They construct a nest using sticks and plants into which 2 – 4 eggs are laid. The eggs are incubated for a period of 24 – 28 days. Once hatched, if food is scarce the older of the chicks will out compete the younger ones and will be the only one to survive. These ibis were revered and worshiped by the Egyptians. There are hieroglyphs carved in their image and one of the most important gods has an ibis’ head.