Whistling Heron (Syrigma sibilatrix)

Whistling Heron Syrigma sibilatrix

Brazilian name: maria-faceira

Whistling Heron, Brazil, Sept 2000 - click for larger image

Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil

There are two subspecies of Whistling Heron, S. s. sibilatrix found in Bolivia, SE Brazil and NE Argentina and S. s. fostersmithi found in E Colombia and Venezuela which is smaller and paler.

It is quite distinctive with its red bill with black tip, its blue bare skin around the eyes, its golden neck and its blue-grey back.

It gets its name from the rather melodious whistle that it makes in contrast to the coarse calls of most herons.

It feeds during the day on grasshoppers, frogs, eels, etc. and is probably less dependant on water for its food than any other heron.

The Brazilians call it "Maria-faceira" or "Mary the coquette".

There are illustrations in HBW, Volume 1, Pages 393 (S. s. fostersmithi) and 404; in Hilty & Brown, Plate 2 and in Sick, Plate 3.

There are recordings and a distribution map on xeno-canto .

Whistling Heron, Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil, Decembaer 2006 - click for larger image

Back to Index

If you do not see a menu on the left, you may have arrived at this page from another site. Please click Home to get to my main page.