Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Whistling Heron
Syrigma sibilatrix
Whistling Heron (Syrigma sibilatrix) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of South America.
Found across 12 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Whistling Heron (Syrigma sibilatrix) is a member of the Ardeidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 463 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pelecaniformes
- Family Ardeidae Herons, Bitterns
- Genus Syrigma
- Species sibilatrix
Quick facts
- Weight
- 463 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Ardeidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Whistling Heron is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Whistling Heron is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Whistling Heron (Syrigma sibilatrix) belongs to the Ardeidae family of the order Pelecaniformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA n, sc, se.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 463 g, with a wing length of about 29 cm and a tail of around 10.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 4.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Whistling Heron?
The Whistling Heron is a large bird that weighs around 463 g.
Where does the Whistling Heron live?
The Whistling Heron is found across South America with a range covering SA n, sc, se, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Whistling Heron belong to?
The Whistling Heron (Syrigma sibilatrix) belongs to the Ardeidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the Whistling Heron eat?
The Whistling Heron is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Whistling Heron migrate?
The Whistling Heron is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Whistling Heron endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Whistling Heron make?
1 real field recording of the Whistling Heron — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Whistling Heron's range?
The Whistling Heron has a mapped global range of about 4.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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