Geronticus calvus (Southern bald ibis) c. 1778

"Geronticus calvus (Southern bald ibis)" is a watercolor painting by Robert Jacob Gordon, a Dutch-born artist, completed around 1778. The painting depicts a Southern bald ibis, a bird native to Africa, standing on a rocky outcrop with some vegetation in the background. This detailed and lifelike depiction of the bird reflects the scientific approach of natural history illustrations prevalent during the 18th century. Gordon's precise rendering of the ibis's plumage and features makes this artwork a valuable resource for ornithological studies even today.