Waldrapp Ibis

Ceratotherium simum simum

Morocco, Turkey and Syria – cliffs, coastal regions

IUCN status Critically endangered

Habitat Morocco, Turkey and Syria – cliffs,
coastal regions

Diet Carnivore – small mammals, lizards, insects, birds, mammals, beetles, snails,
worms, scorpion and other invertebrates

Wide use of DDT pesticide in the 1950s decimated the Waldrapp or northern bald ibis populations in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. There may be less than 500 left in the wild and the species is part of a European captive breeding programme. Parents build a rough nest of twigs lined with grass and share care of the young, which acquire a full head of feathers before leaving the nest after around 50 days.

Did you know?
Waldrapp ibis were revered in Egypt and known as crested ibis or crested akhbirds. Their image appears in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and tomb art.