Which EDGE species will you vote for : The secretary bird and the Northern bald ibis? (Poll)

Fourth poll on EDGE bird species: This time it is a contest between two highly charismatic birds, one of which the subject of long-term conservation efforts that have spanned decades and the other a species which has only just come on the radar of conservationists.

Both species are African (North and Sub-Saharan African respectively), both species are classified as endangered by the IUCN , both are deeply culturally significant to the human cultures of the ranges they inhabit (Middle Eastern, European and Sub-Saharan African respectively).





Which of these bird species interests you most / will you vote for ?

Please also feel free to write comments regarding why you made the choice and why the species you have voted for interests you more.

Thanks !

Look forward to seeing the results!

Photo credits to @Goura and @KevinB.

 

The secretary bird is the only member of a monotypic family while there are a number of species of ibis (including another in the same genus as the northern bald ibis).

Consequently, my vote goes to the secretary bird as the most evolutionary distinct of the two species.

 

Thank you for voting and your comment @Tim May !

I agree the secretary bird is a very interesting species and particularly with its monotypic status and as a member of the Accipitriformes.

 

Secretary bird are much cooler.

 

Thanks for your vote and comment @aardvark250 !

Why is the secretary bird so much cooler in your opinion ?

 

It's unique. It's a bird of prey but those long legs made them special in its own. Also it can kick. It's instantly recognizable and they hunt snake.

The waldrapp isnt that distinctive from other ibis.

 

I see, nicely put and I totally agree they are incredible birds indeed.

 

I agree that secretary birds are more interesting than waldrapps, but the ibis has my vote because of how small the population is. I believe they are more in need of conservation efforts.

 

Thanks for your comment and voting @Strix !

That pretty much sums up my vote too which was for similar reasons.

However, I must say that the secretary bird is also severely endangered and has only just come on the radar of conservationists while the Northern bald ibis has benefited from intensive conservation efforts for several decades.

Also, despite its wide range I think the secretary bird is likely to be in a very steep decline across many areas of Africa.

 

@Mo Hassan @Shruikan Thank you for your votes , if you don't mind me asking why the Northern bald Ibis ?

 

The secretary bird is the only member of its family. While I like ibises, there are several species.

 

Thank you for your comment and voting @Dassie rat !

Have you seen the secretary bird in captivity or the wild ?

 

You have me in a cleft stick with this one; Secretarybird wins for being a distinct family (and one I have only seen in captivity), yet I feel the ibis is not easily dismissed. The fact that it was a lost Alpine breeding species that is now being reestablished in Iberia, and that I have seen it both semi wild in Biricek, and fully wild in Tamri. I declare a personal draw!

 

My knee-jerk vote was for the ibis due to its status in the wild, but honestly, for distinctiveness I ought to have chosen the secretary bird. Great arguments on both sides from everyone, it's tough to pick.

 

Yes, its a difficult one isn't it ?

Well there are no wrong or right answers to this, its all subjective so a draw is acceptable.

It is great to hear you have seen the species in the wild as from what I've heard it has really been a struggle to re-establish it back across its former range.

 

Thanks for your comment @Mo Hassan !

You can still change your vote back to the secretary bird if you like , no problem.

Have you seen either of these birds in captivity or the wild ?

 

Both, but only in captivity.

 

Very lucky to have seen these.

I've only seen the Waldrapp ibis but would love to see the secretary bird one day.

 

I have seen the secretary bird at Chester and other zoos. I haven't been to mainland Africa. I have seen 3 species of ibises in the wild (Madagascan crested wood, Australian white and starw-necked ibises).

 

Awesome, so you have seen both species in the flesh