Jabiru mycteria
jabiru

Jabiru are found in the Western Hemisphere, as far north as Mexico and as far south as Argentina. They are most common found in wetland regions of Brazil and Paraguay. Jabiru have been spotted in Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela, with rare sightings as far north as Texas. (UNEP-WCMC, 2006; Wikipedia, 2006)

Jabiru are found near rivers and ponds, usually in large groups. They prefer open wetlands, especially flooded savannas. They are also seen in freshwater marshes and open country that is near water. These birds usually build their nests atop tall trees. (Belize Zoo, 2006; Grosset, 2005; Wikipedia, 2006)

Jabiru can grow as tall as 1.15 m and weigh as much as 8 kg. Their wingspan averages 2.6 m. The beak is upturned, black, and broad, and can extend to 30 cm. The plumage is white, the skin on the head and neck are featherless and black. On the top of the head there is a silver tuft of hair. There is a 75 mm band of skin around the lower portion of the neck. When jabiru are inactive, the band is a deep pink. When they are irritated, it turns a deep scarlet color. Jabiru also have a featherless red pouch at the base of the neck. Both genders have dark brown irises and black legs and feet. An oval of pink skin is located just above the sternum, but is only visible when the bird is erect just before take-off. Males are noticeably larger than females and have a larger and straighter bill. (Grosset, 2005; Kahl, 1971)

Jabiru, like most storks, have an average lifespan of about 30 years, although some have been known to live past the age of 40. (San Diego Zoo, 2006)

Jabiru are active during the day and are social, being found in groups in both breeding and non-breeding seasons. Jabiru do not migrate, although they do move within a large range throughout the year, seeking optimal foraging areas. During breeding season mated pairs may separate themselves from large groups, but nests are found near other nesting jabiru. Jabiru patrol wetlands with long wing beats, usually in flocks. These birds usually needs two to three jumps before they can take flight. In flight, jabiru carry their necks extended with a bulge formed by the loose throat skin. The flapping is relatively slow, about 180 flaps per minute. They follow every 5-8 flaps with a short period of gliding. During warm periods of the day they may glide on thermal air currents. They walk slowly and methodically, taking under a step per second covering less than one meter each. When pursuing prey, they occasionally use a rapid jog. When jabiru perceive a threat, they stand erect and tall, with the neck extended and may snap their bills at the threat. (Barnhill et al., 2005; Kahl, 1971)

Home Range

There are no estimates of jabiru home range in the literature.

All jabiru have a greeting display. In this display, they face each other in their nests, holding their necks erect and heads high. They clatter their bills loudly and rapidly while waving their necks from sided to side and moving their heads up and down. The presence of an inflatable throat sac also indicates to other birds when they are excited. There is undoubtedly communication that occurs among parents and young, but this has not been well documented. Jabiru are not highly vocal. (Slikas, 1998)

Jabiru consume large amounts of fish, mollusks, insects, and amphibians. They may also eat reptiles and small mammals. During dry seasons, they have been known to eat carrion and dead fish. They feed in flocks and usually forage by wading in shallow water. They detect prey more through tactile sensation than vision. They feed by holding their open bill at a 45 degree angle to the water. When prey is contacted, they close their bill, draw it out of the water, and throw their head back to swallow. (Kahl, 1971; Morgan, 2005; Wikipedia, 2006)

Other jabiru and wood storks (Mycteria americana) have been known to attack jabiru nests. Humans are the primary predators of jabiru. Before jabiru were protected nestlings were hunted for meat. Jabiru are large birds that can effectively defend themselves and their young when confronted by most predators. (Barnhill et al., 2005)

Jabiru have been known to eat dead fish and carrion, effectively preventing spread and development of disease and improving the quality of isolated bodies of water after droughts or fish die-offs. They also impact populations of preferred prey, such as small fish, mollusks, and amphibians. (Wikipedia, 2006)

There are no negative impacts of jabiru on humans.

Before jabiru were protected they were hunted for their meat and feathers. Jabiru are important members of healthy ecosystems, drawing bird enthusiasts to natural areas. (Barnhill et al., 2005)

Jabiru gained protected status in Belize in 1973. Since then, there numbers in that area have slowly risen. They have been granted protected status by the U.S. Migratory Bird Act. Jabiru are widespread but not abundant in any area. They are considered a species of least concern by the IUCN, an improvement from a status of near-threatened in 1988. (Barnhill et al., 2005)