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IBISES AND SPOONBILLS (THRESKIORNITHIDAE; 4+ SPECIES)

Worldwide family of elegant wading birds; ibises have slender decurved bills, spoonbills (p. 90)

have flattened bills with spatulate tips. Ages differ, sexes similar; attain adult appearance in 2–3

years. Build stick nests in trees; often nest colonially with other waterbirds.

WHITE IBIS  Eudocimus albus 53–63cm. Mangroves, tidal flats, coastal

lagoons, freshwater marshes; main food is crabs, other crustaceans. Gregarious,

usually in groups; feeds by probing and picking. Flies with neck and legs

outstretched, wingbeats fairly quick and shallow, interspersed with brief glides;

often flies in lines and Vs, usually not mixed with other waterbirds. Distinctive,

with decurved reddish-pink bill, pinkish-red legs; small black wing-tips of adult

often hidden at rest. Imm. slightly bulkier than Glossy Ibis, immediately told

by white underparts, pink face and bill; attains white upperparts gradually over

1st year. Cf. much larger Wood Stork. SOUNDS:  Low grunts mainly when

flushed and in interactions. STATUS: Fairly common to common locally in nw. lowlands and on Pacific

coast; in smaller numbers elsewhere on both slopes, rarely to 1200m. (Americas.)

GLOSSY IBIS  Plegadis falcinellus 53–63cm. Slender, long-legged, tall-standing

dark ibis of varied fresh and brackish wetland habitats, from roadside ponds to

extensive marshes, flooded fields, lakeshores. Locally in small flocks, also

singles, associating readily with other wading birds; feeds by probing. Flies with

neck outstretched and slightly drooped, legs trailing (feet project noticeably

farther on male), wingbeats fairly stiff and shallow, often interspersed with brief

glides on bowed wings; distant flocks in flight may suggest Neotropic Cor­

morant. Cf. Green Ibis, imm. White Ibis. Juv. has sooty brownish neck with

variable, sparse white blotches, soon attains 1st-year plumage resembling

nonbr. adult but without chestnut on shoulders. Like adult in 2nd year. SOUNDS: Mostly silent; low grunts

when flushed. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common locally in nw. lowlands and on s. Pacific slope; rare

and irregular elsewhere on both slopes, mainly Sep–May. (Old World, N America, Caribbean region.)

GREEN IBIS  Mesembrinibis cayennensis 56–63.5cm. Rather compact, short-

legged, distinctive dark ibis of humid forest and edge, adjacent swamps. Found

as singles and pairs, rarely small groups, along creeks, at quiet pools, and in

flooded understory, locally in more open situations at wetland edges, adjacent

fields, lawns; perches readily in trees. Forages by probing, sometimes nodding

its head as it walks along. Often calls loudly when flushed. Note decurved bill,

short legs (feet do not project in flight); nape often appears shaggy; cf. Glossy

Ibis. Imm. duller overall, with little or no greenish gloss on head and neck.

SOUNDS: Clucking and gobbling rhythmic short series, such as koh’lo-hop koh’lo-

hop..., cf. wood rail songs; can be loud when flushed. Foraging and agitated calls include slow-paced,

guttural growls. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon on Caribbean slope; scarce and local but increasing

on Pacific slope, since 2000s. (Honduras to S America.)

LIMPKINS (ARAMIDAE; 1 SPECIES) New World family related to cranes and rails.

Ages differ slightly, sexes similar; like adult in 1st year.

*LIMPKIN  Aramus guarauna 58–64cm. Freshwater marshes, lakes, swampy

woodland, locally mangroves. Usually near cover and can be retiring, at other

times singles or locally small groups feed in the open, probing for snails; often

perches in trees. Flight distinctive but usually not prolonged, with neck

outstretched, stiff snappy wingbeats with emphasis on upstroke. Nothing very

similar, but cf. Glossy Ibis. Note stout straight bill with black tip, white-

spattered plumage, habits. Juv. has neater and smaller white markings than

adult. SOUNDS:  Varied loud trumpeting, screaming, and clucking calls,

especially early and late in the day and at night, including a rolled krrrreeah and

honking krrrrowh; also a clipped barking owhk! in alarm and a sharp, piercing bihk bihk…when agitated.

STATUS: Fairly common but somewhat nomadic in nw. lowlands; smaller numbers locally elsewhere on

both slopes, to 1500m. (Mexico and Caribbean region to S America.)