The Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), belonging to the family Threskiornithidae, is a migratory bird species characterized by its long, curved red bill, featherless red head, and glossy black plumage. It is currently classified as critically endangered. Today, its wild populations are limited to small groups primarily in Birecik district of Şanlıurfa province in Turkey and parts of Morocco. Beyond its biological significance, the Northern Bald Ibis holds historical and cultural importance; in Birecik, it is regarded as a symbol of fertility and prosperity. The species continues to survive within protected breeding stations established for its conservation.
Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus Eremita) (NickyPe, Pixabay)
Morphological Characteristics
Northern Bald Ibises are large-bodied birds; an adult individual typically measures approximately 70–80 cm in length with a wingspan ranging between 120 and 135 cm. Their bodies are covered with glossy black feathers that reflect iridescent shades of green, purple, and chestnut depending on sunlight. One of their most distinctive features is the featherless, red-colored head and throat region, which gives rise to their name derived from their “bald” appearance.
They are also recognized by their long, slender, downward-curved red bills, and their legs exhibit a reddish hue. Males and females are visually very similar, and sex differentiation can only be accurately determined through genetic analysis in a laboratory setting. Juveniles are born with feathered heads and necks; as they mature, these feathers are gradually lost. The plumage of juveniles is generally darker gray, which transitions to the glossy black coloration characteristic of adults upon reaching maturity.
Close-up View of the Northern Bald Ibis (Denys Gromov, Pexels)
Distribution and Habitat
Historically, the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) inhabited a wide geographical range extending from the European Alps through the Middle East to North Africa. However, today only two wild populations remain: one in northwestern Morocco and the other in the Birecik district of Şanlıurfa province in Turkey. The Souss-Massa National Park and the Tamri region in Morocco constitute the most significant current habitats for the species. The population in Morocco increased from approximately 300 individuals in 1995 to 580 by 2015, thanks to effective conservation measures. A small colony rediscovered in 2002 near Palmyra, Syria, persisted until around 2015 but has since disappeared.
In Turkey, Northern Bald Ibises were formerly distributed throughout the entire Southeastern Anatolia Region. Today, their presence is restricted to the vicinity of the Northern Bald Ibis Breeding Station located on the banks of the Euphrates River in Birecik. This area provides an optimal environment for breeding and feeding due to its temperate climate, soft geological substrate, and abundant insect fauna.
Reproduction and Feeding
Northern Bald Ibises exhibit a monogamous breeding system, typically mating with the same partner throughout their lives. The breeding season commences in mid-February, during which the birds return to Birecik and nest in crevices on rocky surfaces or wooden nests within the breeding station. Females lay between one and four eggs annually, with an incubation period of approximately four weeks. The hatchlings possess dark gray plumage and fledge approximately two to three months after hatching. During this period, parents invest considerable effort in feeding and caring for their offspring for nearly three months.
Northern Bald Ibises primarily forage during daylight hours, feeding on invertebrates such as insects, scorpions, lizards, frogs, and small snakes. They use their long, curved bills to probe soil or rock crevices to locate prey. In the Birecik Breeding Station, individuals are supplemented with a specially formulated diet, including lean minced meat, boiled eggs, grated carrots, poultry feed, and unsalted cheese, alongside natural foraging.
Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita). (Birecik District Governorship)
Behavior and Ecology
Northern Bald Ibises are social birds that live in colonies. During the breeding and feeding periods, they move collectively, flying together early in the morning to forage in open areas located 10–15 kilometers away. Known for their graceful and striking flight, these birds preferentially roost in high and inaccessible rocky areas, primarily as a defense strategy against predators. While the chicks remain in the nest, they receive careful parental care; both parents share the responsibility of feeding the young until they develop the ability to fly. A prominent behavioral trait of the species is their monogamous nature, exhibiting strong fidelity to their mates.
Historically, the Northern Bald Ibis was a migratory species. The Birecik population in Turkey traditionally migrated southward each summer. However, since 1990, the migration practice has ceased due to the failure of migrating individuals to return. Currently, the Northern Bald Ibises in Birecik are managed under a “semi-wild” status; they are released into the wild from their enclosures each February and returned to captivity in July. Despite this management, the species’ natural migratory instinct remains largely intact.
Northern Bald Ibis Migration. (Birecik District Governorship)
Conservation Efforts in Turkey
The rapid decline of the Northern Bald Ibis population in Turkey was primarily caused by the use of DDT pesticides in response to a locust infestation in the 1950s, combined with uncontrolled agricultural chemical applications. While their numbers were in the thousands until 1956, by the 1970s the population had plummeted to approximately 50 individuals. In response, the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks established the Birecik Northern Bald Ibis Breeding and Conservation Station in 1977.
Birds raised at the station are released into the wild each February and recaptured after the breeding season. During the breeding and care period, the birds are fed a specialized diet consisting of lean minced meat, boiled eggs, carrots, chick feed, and unsalted cheese. Newly hatched chicks are ringed, biometric measurements are taken, and samples are collected for genetic analysis. By 2020, the Birecik population had increased to 280 individuals. In 2019, 261 birds were released into the wild for the breeding season. By 2023, with 57 newly hatched chicks, the total number of Northern Bald Ibises at the station reached 334 individuals.
To monitor their migratory abilities, select individuals were equipped with GPRS tracking devices and released into the wild in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Their movements across the Middle East and North Africa were monitored; however, due to hunting and natural risks, many did not return. Consequently, migration management remains limited and strictly controlled. Northern Bald Ibises in Turkey are fully protected, and scientific, systematic conservation efforts continue to ensure the species’ survival.
Birecik Northern Bald Ibis Breeding and Conservation Station. (Anadolu Agency - AA)
Northern Bald Ibis Festival
The Northern Bald Ibis holds significant importance in Birecik district of Şanlıurfa, not only as a vital component of biodiversity but also as a cultural symbol. Revered locally as a "harbinger of abundance," this bird’s significance is celebrated concretely through the Northern Bald Ibis Festival, held annually since 1984. The festival takes place in mid-February, coinciding with the start of the ibises’ breeding season, and also symbolizes the arrival of spring and the awakening of nature in the region. Activities during the festival include traditional folk dances, presentations of local cuisine, informative booths, and nature-themed events.
