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Southern Bald Ibis

Uncommon to locally common endemic resident. Bright red head and bill, pink shoulder and white cheek stripe. Immature birds are duller. Sometimes uteers a high pitched 'keeauw-klaup-klaup'. Feeds singly or in groups.

Anybody seen one?

Yes, we saw some in the area surrounding Golden Gate and QwaQwa NP's earlier this year. Can't remember if we actually saw any in the parks itself. Will have to go check my notes.

Seen one single bird of the N3 to Durban over the Super 14 final weekend.

Since my first sighting last year with the super 14 final in Durban I've been lucky to spot two more, one in Dundee and the other in Wartburg.

Photo from Wartburg, taken by SO.

Southern Bald Ibis
Geronticus Calvus

Description
One of four ibis species found in South Africa. This large glossy blue-black bird has coppery patches on its forewings. A unfeathered red head and face with a long decurved bill. Differs from the glossy ibis because of it having a bald red head, a white face, the characteristically difference in colour me legs and bill as well as the shapes of the bills. They breed in colonies and also amongst rocks and cliffs. Laying between two and three eggs. Is the second largest ibis after the sacred ibis.

Females & Juveniles
Juveniles have generally duller plumage. The head is covered in little light brown feathers and the red on the bill is only confined to the base. Both sexes are generally very alike except the males having a tad longer bill.

Habitat
Habitat preferences include open grassland, semi desert, mountainious areas, burnt upland grassland. Favouring grasslands. They occur through the whole of Lesotho extending into the neighbouring south african provinces and drifting up from Mpumalanga to areas in Limpopo.

I regulary see them on the pastures on my In-laws farm near Clocolan (SE Freestate)

Going there this weekend, so hold thumbs that I get to see them!

Saw a mating pare busy mating at a place called kiara resort in the maluti mountains next to golden gate.

Seen this juvenile at Luiperdkloof Game Lodge.

Great sighting Yolande Where is this Game Lodge?

Thanks RJ . The lodge is about 2 km before Ezemvelo Nature Reserve - near Bronkhorstspruit. ( you need a car to get there though...

Mocking me much?!