Zoomarine Algarve celebrates the first birth of a black ibis chick (Plegadis falcinellus) at the park. Named “Vozinha” by the team, the young bird was born in the Americas Habitat and is developing healthily.
The birth of “Vozinha” marks a milestone for the zoological team and reflects the conditions provided in the Americas Habitat to meet the biological and behavioral needs of the species living there. The chick remains with its parents, who have ensured parental care, while the Zoomarine’s team of zoological professionals regularly monitors its development and well-being.
“This first birth of a black ibis at Zoomarine is a very special moment for the whole team. In addition to the joy of watching the development of a new chick, it is also very rewarding to observe natural behaviours such as reproduction and parental care. Moments like these allow us to deepen our understanding of the species under our care and also provide an opportunity to spark visitors’ curiosity about the extraordinary diversity of wildlife and the importance of its conservation,” says Ana Salbany, Director of Zoological Collection at Zoomarine Algarve, quoted in a press release.
Characterized by its long curved beak, the black ibis uses it to explore mud and the margins of wetlands in search of food, namely insects, small crustaceans and other invertebrates. This feeding contributes to the natural dynamics of these ecosystems, on which the species is particularly dependent.
Another characteristic behavior of the black ibis is the posture of wings fully spread when exposed to the sun. This behavior, which often arouses visitors’ curiosity, is associated with the maintenance of the plumage and constitutes one of the several examples of the species’ behavioral peculiarities.
Currently classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as LC – Least Concern, the black ibis is not considered a threatened species. Still, its strong association with wetlands reinforces the importance of preserving these habitats, recognized for their high ecological value and at the same time for their fragility.
For Zoomarine Algarve, the birth of “Vozinha” provides an opportunity to introduce the public to a less familiar species and raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the conservation of the habitats on which so many species depend.
The Americas Habitat also houses a new species, the great curassow (Crax rubra). “Cali”, born in May, has recently joined the habitat, contributing to increasing its diversity and providing new opportunities for space exploration and interspecies interaction.
