Sharp-tailed Ibis
NameSharp-tailed Ibis
Common NameSharp-tailed Ibis
Scientific NameCercibis oxycerca
FamilyThreskiornithidae
Wingspan (cm)81.5
Length (cm)56.5
Weight (g)600
Plumage DetailsThe plumage is entirely glossy black, sometimes showing a greenish or purplish sheen. It has striking reddish-orange bare skin on the face, extending from the base of the bill around the eye. The long, decurved bill is pale horn-colored to yellowish-pink with a darker tip, and its legs and feet are dark grey to blackish.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include harsh, croaking or grunting notes, often uttered in flight or when disturbed. They can also produce a series of guttural sounds.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, wetland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeThe Sharp-tailed Ibis is found in northern South America, inhabiting eastern Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern Brazil.
Identifying FeaturesGlossy black plumage, Long, decurved pale bill, Reddish-orange bare facial skin, Relatively long neck and legs, Prefers wet grasslands and savannas
Description
This medium-sized ibis is characterized by its entirely glossy black plumage and a distinctive long, decurved pale bill. It typically forages in open, wet grasslands and savannas, often in small groups, probing the ground for invertebrates.
