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

Affectionately known as “Bandurria”, the beautiful Black-necked Ibis (Theristicus melanopsis) 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 jogger passing by.

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