Singing Rufous-collared Sparrow/Black-faced Ibis “Bandurria” family/Southern Caracara - Chile

Affectionately known as “Bandurria”, the beautiful Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis) is a common sight on a January summer day exploring the woodland meadows of Isla Teja, Valdivia, Chile. I was filming a singing Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) when a family of Bandurria swept across the meadow, “tooting” in flight before landing. One of the adults hobbles along on an old twisted leg, while a pale juvenile bird begs for food, shrieking and bobbing its head, with no reaction at from the adult. All is family bliss, when suddenly here comes a jogger running past the camera with a urgent message "Hola, ahi en la planicie donde estan los arboles grandes, hay 2 aguilas"/"Hello, there on the plain where the big trees are, there are 2 eagles" - exit stage right. I made haste to the field but the ground was empty and all was dead quiet....then scanning the trees, there it was on a bare branch, a handsome Southern Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus). Not an eagle, but a large bird of prey in the order Falconiformes. Unfortunately, the Caracara looked worse for wear and tear - with its chest bare and bulging out, perhaps the result of a fight. The video ends with greetings exchanged with another passing jogger.

[@wildlifeinmygarden2117]

Great footage 👍. Those Ibis are really really interesting

[@ToToWildlife]

Wow, top class video! I love it! 👍

[@violina48]

Absolutely wonderful share, dear Clive!

[@CliveBramham]

Thanks very much, Annemieke :-) With best wishes.

[@catsoleal9572]

Was looking for good videos on the Ibis and found this one! Reminds me so so much of home, thank you for sharing this great footage on youtube 💕

[@CliveBramham]

Glad to hear that. Nice it reminds you of home. I hope to put out a few more videos from the Valdivia area this year.

[@catsoleal9572]

@@CliveBramham if you ever happen to go further south close to Puyehue around the area of Puerto Varas you’ll find some really great spots like the Saltos de Petrohué to observe birds in a more secluded environment c:

[@CliveBramham]

@@catsoleal9572 Hope to get back to Chile!

[@BirdsandGhibliFan]

Aw! It looks like one of the ibises has an injured leg. 😕 Anyway, thanks for sharing! 👍

[@CliveBramham]

Yeah, very much so. Probably an old injury. The bird seemed otherwise fit.

[@BirdsandGhibliFan]

@@CliveBramham Well, that’s good news. 👍

[@ChoctawNawtic4]

What do the Ibis here eat??

[@CliveBramham]

Is these meadows and grasslands, mostly insects and worms. They also eat shellfish, frogs and salamanders.