Cercibis oxycerca
The Sharp-tailed Ibis (Cercibis oxycerca) is a striking medium-large wading bird, typically measuring 60-75 cm (24-30 in) in length and weighing around 700-800 grams. Its plumage is predominantly dull greenish-black, appearing dark brown in most lighting, with a distinctive purplish sheen on the wings and back. Key identification features include its long, sharply pointed tail, unique among ibises, and its long, strongly decurved, greenish-black bill. The bare facial skin is dark, and its leg...
This ibis primarily inhabits open, seasonally flooded savannas, grasslands, and wet meadows, often foraging in shallow waters or marshy areas. It is typically found in lowland regions, generally below 500 meters in elevation.
The Sharp-tailed Ibis feeds primarily on a variety of invertebrates, including insects, crustaceans, and worms, along with small vertebrates such as frogs and fish. It forages by probing soft substrates with its long bill.
Sharp-tailed Ibises are diurnal birds, often seen foraging during the day and roosting communally in trees at night, sometimes with other ibis species. Their foraging strategy involves wading in shallow water or probing soft mud and soil with their long, decurved bills to extract invertebrates. W...
The Sharp-tailed Ibis is a resident species distributed across the northern and central parts of South America. Its breeding and year-round range encompasses the vast lowland savannas and wetlands of Venezuela, Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. It extends southward into central and n...
Least Concern
- The Sharp-tailed Ibis is the sole member of its genus, *Cercibis*, making it a truly unique branch of the ibis family tree. - Its scientific name, *Cercibis oxycerca*, directly translates to "sharp-tailed ibis," highlighting its most distinctive physical feature. - Unlike most other ibises, its...