Sharp-tailed Ibis
Cercibis Oxycerca
Tarotaro
Song
Sharp-tailed Ibis
The Sharp-tailed Ibis (Cercibis oxycerca)
Appearance: The Sharp-tailed Ibis is a medium-sized bird with a length of around 53 cm. It has a glossy dark purple to bronzy-black plumage with a greenish sheen. It gets its name from the long, sharp-pointed feathers on its undertail coverts that extend beyond the tail.
Habitat: This species is typically found in wetlands, marshes, flooded grasslands, riversides, and agricultural areas with moist soils. In Colombia, Sharp-tailed Ibises can be observed in suitable habitats across various regions, including lowland forests and savannas.
Behavior: Sharp-tailed Ibises are usually seen foraging in shallow water or wet ground for insects, crustaceans, and small vertebrates. They often feed in small groups and may also roost together in trees or reed beds.
Breeding: Breeding behavior of the Sharp-tailed Ibis includes the formation of breeding colonies during the breeding season. They usually nest in trees, bushes, or reed beds, laying clutches of 2-4 eggs. Both parents participate in incubating the eggs and caring for the young.
Conservation Status: The conservation status of the Sharp-tailed Ibis in Colombia is currently categorized as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Distribution
The Sharp-tailed Ibis (Cercibis oxycerca)
Llanos Orientales: This region, located in eastern Colombia, is characterized by vast grasslands and wetlands, providing suitable habitat for the Sharp-tailed Ibis.
Taxonomy
The Sharp-tailed Ibis (Cercibis oxycerca)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Threskiornithidae
- Genus: Cercibis
- Species: Cercibis oxycerca
Vocalization
The Sharp-tailed Ibis (Cercibis oxycerca)
- Grunt Calls: The Sharp-tailed Ibis produces deep, guttural grunt-like calls that are often described as resonant and booming. These calls are typically heard during the breeding season and may serve to establish territories or attract mates.
- Trumpeting Calls: This species is also known to emit loud, trumpet-like calls that can carry over long distances. These calls may be used for communication between individuals, signaling danger, or defending territory.
- Croaking Calls: Sharp-tailed Ibises can produce a variety of low-pitched croaking sounds, especially during interactions with other ibises or when alarmed.
- Bill Clattering: In addition to vocalizations, Sharp-tailed Ibises are known to produce bill-clattering sounds by rapidly snapping their bills together. This behavior is often observed during courtship displays or aggressive interactions.
- Contact Calls: Sharp-tailed Ibises also use softer contact calls to maintain communication within their groups or when foraging together in wetland habitats.
