Whistling heron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whistling heron |
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| Adult S. s. sibilatrix The Pantanal, Brazil |
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Syrigma
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sibilatrix
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The whistling heron (Syrigma sibilatrix) is a medium-sized bird found in South America. It's a type of heron that often spends its time on land. This bird is the only species in its special group, called Syrigma. There are two main types, or subspecies, of whistling herons: the southern one called S. s. sibilatrix and the northern one called S. s. fostersmithi.
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Meet the Whistling Heron Family
Scientists studied the heron family in 2023. They found that the whistling heron is most closely related to another bird called the capped heron.
There are two main types, or subspecies, of whistling herons:
- S. s. fostersmithi: This type lives in northeast Colombia and northwest Venezuela.
- S. s. sibilatrix: This type is found in eastern Bolivia, southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and northeast Argentina.
What Does a Whistling Heron Look Like?
Whistling herons are about 53 to 64 centimeters (21 to 25 inches) long. They weigh around 521 to 546 grams (about 1.1 to 1.2 pounds). The southern type is a bit bigger, but its beak is shorter compared to its body.
When these birds are standing, they mostly look gray. But when they fly, you can see their bright white lower back, belly, and tail. The top parts of adult birds are blue-gray, except for their lower back. Their head, neck, chest, and shoulder feathers are white. These white feathers often have a golden or light brown color. This color might come from special powder or oils the bird produces.
The northern type (fostersmithi) has a slate-gray (dark gray) crown and crest. Its upper wing feathers are honey-colored. The southern type (sibilatrix) has a black crown and crest. Its upper wing feathers are cinnamon-colored. The beak is pink with a black tip and blue or purple near the base. Their legs are greenish and quite short. They also have a noticeable area of bluish skin around their eyes.
Young whistling herons look similar to adults but are duller. Their crown is lighter, their chest is light gray, and their throat and sides are plain white.
The Whistling Heron's Unique Sounds
This bird gets its name from its most common sound. It makes a loud, flute-like whistle that sounds like "kleeer-er" or "wueeee, wueeee." It can also make a soft, long whistle when it takes off. If it senses danger, it will make a harsh "quah-h-h" sound.
Unlike many other herons, the whistling heron flies with fast, duck-like wingbeats. It also doesn't pull its neck all the way back when flying.
Where Do Whistling Herons Live?
The fostersmithi subspecies lives in the Llanos and the Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela. The sibilatrix subspecies lives in eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, western and southern Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and northeastern Argentina. Recently, it seems they might be spreading further north and east in Brazil.
Some whistling herons move to different areas during certain seasons. For example, they are not seen in northeastern Venezuela from November to January. However, in other places, like Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, they stay all year.
These birds live in areas that flood during certain seasons, like savannas. They often prefer drier grassy spots compared to other herons. But they can also be found in many open, wet, or shallow water areas. They like places where open fields are mixed with groups of trees, as they rest in trees. They don't mind living near people, often found in pastures and along roadsides. They even perch on fenceposts!
Even though they are spread out, whistling herons are common in many places. Their population is not considered to be in danger. They have even benefited from deforestation (clearing forests) and some types of farming. They are successful birds in dry tropical areas, similar to the cattle egret and the black-headed heron from other parts of the world.
How Whistling Herons Live
What Do Whistling Herons Eat?
Whistling herons eat any small animals from dry land or marshes that they can catch. They might even steal food from other birds, like an aplomado falcon! They often stand very still while hunting. They can also walk very slowly or even run after their prey. Sometimes, they catch flying insects, like dragonflies, while standing still.
These birds might let humans get quite close if they are in a good feeding spot. They usually hunt alone or in pairs. But sometimes, you can see them in groups of up to 100 birds, especially before they go to roost for the night.
Whistling Heron Reproduction
During courtship, male and female whistling herons fly back and forth. They also glide in circles. One pair in captivity showed off by raising their special feathers.
Unlike most herons, which nest in large groups, whistling herons build their nests alone. They might build nests in tall, old trees like araucarias or other types of trees. One nest found in Argentina was loosely built from sticks about 4 meters (13 feet) high in a eucalyptus tree.
Their eggs are pale blue with speckles, measuring about 4.7 by 3.6 centimeters (1.8 by 1.4 inches). A normal clutch has three or four eggs. The eggs hatch after about 28 days. The young birds are ready to fly about 42 days after hatching. Sadly, only about 28% of eggs survive, and 40% of nestlings survive. Storms that destroy nests are a big reason for these losses. From watching family groups, it seems that usually only two young birds grow up and leave the nest.
Unlike most heron species, whistling herons continue to care for their young even after they leave the nest. The young birds beg for food by hissing and drooping their wings.
Whistling Herons and People
Long ago, Native peoples used the neck feathers of whistling herons as items to trade. However, they didn't use them so much that it harmed the bird populations.
