Waterfowl

Genus Mesembrinibis: Green Ibises

 

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The Green Ibises, Mesembrinibis cayennensis, is a wading bird in the ibis family Threskiornithidae. It is the only member of the genus Mesembrinibis.

 

Distribution / Range

This is a resident breeder from Honduras through Nicaragua, Costa Rica and western Panama, and South America to northern Argentina. It undertakes some local seasonal movements in the dry season.

The Green Ibis occurs in wooded swamps and other wet forest habitats. Its nest consists of a platform of twigs placed in a tree. This species is less gregarious than its relatives and is usually seen alone or in pairs. It has been recorded as harassing Sunbitterns nesting in the same tree.

 

Description

The Green Ibis is 48–56 cm long and weighs 650–750 g; the female is smaller than the male.

Breeding adults have glossy greenish-black bodies, pale green legs and bill, and grey bare facial skin patches. J

uveniles are much duller, but can be distinguished from the similar Glossy Ibis by their bulkier shape, shorter legs and broader wings.

This species, like other ibises, flies with neck outstretched. Its flight is heavy, with fewer glides and jerkier wingbeats than its relatives.

 

Diet / Feeding

Like other ibises, it predates fish, frogs and other water creatures, as well as insects.

 

Vocalizations / Calls

It is most active and vocal at dusk, with a loud rolling co-co-co-co-corru-corru call.

 

Copyright: Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia.org … Additional information and photos added by Avianweb.


 

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Gordon Ramel

Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. He's also a teacher, a poet and the owner of 1,152 books. Oh - and he wrote this website.

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