Dwarf Olive Ibis
Encyclopedia
The São Tomé Ibis also known as the Dwarf Olive Ibis, is a critically endangered bird that is endemic to São Tomé e Príncipe. Once thought to be a subspecies
of the larger Olive Ibis
, it is now classified as a distinct species.
. The wing-coverts and mantle are slightly bronzed.
It is silent most of the time, but when disturbed it gives various coughed grunts, and a harsh honking when going to roost. Its call could also be described as a stressed kàh-gàh kàh-gàh.
Introduced species could negatively affect the numbers of these birds. Habitat loss is another threat, and road development has increased access to previously remote areas. They also may be hunted. A national park and the protection of threatened species in São Tomé have been proposed, but currently the forests are unprotected.
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the larger Olive Ibis
Olive Ibis
The Olive Ibis is a species of bird in the Threskiornithidae family.It is found in Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania.- References : Database entry includes...
, it is now classified as a distinct species.
Description
The São Tomé Ibis's measurements include: wings 248 mm; bill 73 mm; tarsus 52 mm; and tail 95 mm. The head is dull olive with black surrounding the eyes and base of the billBeak
The beak, bill or rostrum is an external anatomical structure of birds which is used for eating and for grooming, manipulating objects, killing prey, fighting, probing for food, courtship and feeding young...
. The wing-coverts and mantle are slightly bronzed.
It is silent most of the time, but when disturbed it gives various coughed grunts, and a harsh honking when going to roost. Its call could also be described as a stressed kàh-gàh kàh-gàh.
Habitat and ecology
It is found in primary forest below 450 m altitude. It forages for food on the forest floor with sparse undergrowth, especially where the ground has been disturbed by wild pigs, and in swampy areas bordering watercourses.Population and threats
The tiny population of São Tomé Ibises contains only around 50 individuals. Due to this, it is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list.Introduced species could negatively affect the numbers of these birds. Habitat loss is another threat, and road development has increased access to previously remote areas. They also may be hunted. A national park and the protection of threatened species in São Tomé have been proposed, but currently the forests are unprotected.
