Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Though not as noisy as most other members of Theristicus, the far-carrying nasal honks of Andean Ibis are a characteristic sound of the high puna grasslands where it occurs. Despite this, there are relatively few available recordings, and much remains to be learned about its vocal behavior.

Development

Information is needed.

Vocal Array

Call. Only known vocalization, though more study needed. The call is a far-carrying, nasal-metallic honk , often doubled (30 Ridgely, R. S., and P. J. Greenfield (2001). The Birds of Ecuador. Volumes 1 and 2. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, USA. Close ). Rather noisy, especially when flying , so that birds can often be heard long before they appear. Minor variation in pitch, so that groups of birds calling together can sound vaguely conversational. Also some minor variation in note length; more work needed to determine if some of these variations may indicate different functions. Birds on the ground sometimes give especially short, quiet versions, whereas the loudest and most strident calls typically occur as a group is flushed.

Geographic Variation

Information is needed. No variation apparent among the few recordings available online.

Phenology

More information is needed, but based on eBird data, it seems to vocalize year-round.

Daily Pattern of Vocalizing

More information is needed, but can be heard at any time of day.

Places of Vocalizing

Vocalizes both from the ground and in flight (FM, personal observation).

Sex Differences

Information is needed.

Social Context and Presumed Functions of Vocalizations

Information is needed, but calls as a sign of alarm and eventually for courtship as in Black-faced Ibis.

Nothing known.