Scarlet Ibis
Eudocimus ruber
Corocora
Song
Scarlet Ibis
The Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
Appearance: The adult Scarlet Ibis is predominantly a deep scarlet red, with black wingtips that are visible in flight. Its bill is long, slender, and curved downward, ideal for probing in the mud for food. Juveniles have more muted colors, with a grayish-brown plumage that gradually turns red as they mature.
Habitat: This species can be found in a variety of wetland habitats, including mangrove swamps, mudflats, marshes, and shallow coastal areas. They often prefer areas with freshwater or saltwater, where they can feed on small aquatic invertebrates and crustaceans.
Behavior: Scarlet Ibises are social birds that usually gather in flocks, particularly during the breeding season. They are known for their distinctive honking calls and their synchronized flight patterns. They are also proficient swimmers and waders, using their long legs to navigate through shallow water.
Breeding: Breeding typically occurs in colonies, where ibises build nests in trees, bushes, or reed beds. The female usually lays 2-4 eggs, which both parents take turns incubating for about three weeks. Chicks fledge within 35-40 days and become independent after a few months.
Conservation Status: In Colombia, Scarlet Ibises are considered rare and are protected under national legislation.
Distribution
The Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
Caribbean Coast: Along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, Scarlet Ibises can be found in various wetland areas such as mangrove swamps, estuaries, and marshes. Important locations where they may occur include the coastal regions of departments such as Atlántico, Magdalena, Bolívar, Sucre, and Córdoba.
Pacific Coast: On the Pacific coast of Colombia, Scarlet Ibises can be sighted in mangrove forests, tidal flats, and other coastal wetlands. Regions such as Chocó, Valle del Cauca, and Nariño provide suitable habitats for these birds to forage and breed.
Inland Wetlands: While Scarlet Ibises are more commonly associated with coastal areas, they may also venture into certain inland wetland habitats in Colombia, such as freshwater marshes, lagoons, and riverside environments, where suitable feeding opportunities exist.
Taxonomy
The Scarlet Ibis ( Eudocimus ruber)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Threskiornithidae
- Genus: Eudocimus
- Species: Eudocimus ruber
Vocalization
The Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber)
- Trumpeting Call: Scarlet Ibises are known for their distinctive trumpeting call, which is loud, honking, and somewhat nasal in quality. This call is often used during flight, in group interactions, or to signal alarm or alertness to other members of the flock.
- Contact Calls: Ibises use a series of soft, low-pitched calls to maintain contact with other individuals within their group while foraging or moving through their habitat. These contact calls help them stay connected and coordinate their movements.
- Nesting Calls: During the breeding season, Scarlet Ibises may produce specific vocalizations associated with courtship, nest-building activities, and caring for their young. These sounds can vary in intensity and pitch, signaling various stages of the breeding cycle.
- Aggressive Calls: When defending territories or during conflicts with other ibises, Scarlet Ibises may emit harsh, aggressive calls to establish dominance or ward off intruders. These calls are usually louder and more intense compared to their normal vocalizations.
- Alarm Calls: Scarlet Ibises have specific alarm calls that they use to alert other members of their group to potential threats or dangers in the vicinity. These alarm calls can vary in intensity and may trigger a collective response from the flock to ensure safety.
