Zoo database

Northern bald ibis

Geronticus eremita

Natural diet Northern bald ibis

Insects
Invertebrates / crustaceans

The Northern Bald Ibis are carnivorous birds that live in dry habitats. They mainly feeds on insects, spiders, scorpions and small invertebrates such as snails. Occasionally, small vertebrates are consumed.

Feeding advice Northern bald ibis

Feed quantity per day

2-4% of body weight

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 1.2 kg and eats 3% of its body weight, it will get

1.2 x 0.03 = 0.036 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

10% Insects and other invertebrates
90% Concentrates

Proportions (fresh product)

0.1 x 0.036 kg = 3.6 g insects and other invertebrates
0.9 x 0.036 kg = 32.4 g concentrates

Diet suggestions

Not recommended

Bread

Additional advice

Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
During the breeding season food should be offered ad libitum and contain 15% day-old chicks instead of concentrates.
Avoid feeding bread as the high starch content may cause intestinal disturbances.
Stimulate foraging behaviour by using feeding puzzles and scatter feeding (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

Wisbroek Ibis - Flamingo Floating

Floating Ibis

Krekels

Meelwormen

Eendagskuikens (Zwarte Doos)

Jeroen Hartman

Team leader Warehouse