Description
The Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) reaches a weight between 1 and 1,5 kg and a wingspan of up to 125 cm. Males and females don´t show obvious physical differences.
The plumage of Northern Bald Ibises is black with an iridescent, green and violet sheen. Whilst the heads of adult birds are unfeathered and framed by a tuft of prolonged feathers, the heads of young Northern Bald Ibises is covered with grey plumage, the feather tuft is missing or rather not distinctly developed; also their plumage is rather browny- black and less shiny.
Also typical for Northern Bald Ibises are their red legs and the red, curved and slim beak, which the birds use to pick their prey out of the soil (mainly earthworms and insect larvae). Although their head is bald: Northern Bald Ibises are no scavengers!
