Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita).
Image: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Birds
- Population trend
- Increasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The northern bald ibis is a dark, glossy ibis with a bald red head and a shaggy ruff. It is assessed as Endangered, recovering from a very low point.
Once widespread, it was reduced to small relict populations.
Range & habitat
North Africa and the Middle East, with reintroduced populations in Europe.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Past hunting and habitat loss
- Pesticides and disturbance
- A small population
Why it matters
A once-revered bird (known since ancient Egypt) brought back through conservation and reintroduction, the northern bald ibis is a flagship for recovery efforts across its range.
Sources
Sources for Northern Bald Ibis
- IUCN Red List — look up Northern Bald Ibis (authoritative status)
- BirdLife International
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the northern bald ibis an ancient species in human culture?
Yes. It appears in ancient Egyptian art and was historically widespread; its later collapse and ongoing recovery make it a notable conservation story.
Why is the northern bald ibis Endangered?
Published assessments cite past hunting and habitat loss, pesticides and disturbance, and a small population, though protection and reintroduction have helped numbers. See the IUCN Red List.
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