Water supply

En español

Although NBI are get probably most or the water they need from their food, they obviously need to drink and can usually be seen on the natural sources of water, like in Wed Tamri mouths.

Water point for NBI, detail and general view

 with seven ibises drinking 

In particular, chicks seem to need some water while in the nest. Between 1998 and 2002, the Souss-Massa National Park and BirdLife team monitored the use of some artificial water points close to the colonies and the subsequent impact on reproductive success. 

It was showed experimentally that the small-scale provision of fresh water near the breeding colonies led to an increase in the survival of chicks. 

The increase in productivity was highest in years with low natural rainfall but was positive throughout the wohle period. The supplementary fresh water appears to help buffer productivity against the impacts of low rainfall. 

Since 2003, water provision is a part of the ongoing conservation measures for this species.

Smith, K. W., Aghnaj, A., El Bekkay, M., Oubrou, W., Ribi, M., Jimenez-Armesto, M. and Bowden, C. G. R. (2008) The provision of supplementary fresh water improves the breeding success of the globally threatened Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. Ibis, 150: 728-734.