Whistling Heron (Syrigma sibilatrix)
About the Whistling Heron
The whistling heron (Syrigma sibilatrix) is a medium-sized, often terrestrial heron of South America. It is the only species placed in the genus Syrigma. There are two subspecies, the southern S. s. sibilatrix and the northern S. s. fostersmithi. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2023 found that within the heron family the whistling heron is most closely related to the capped heron (Pilherodius pileatus). Two subspecies are recognised: S. s. fostersmithi Friedmann, 1949 – northeast Colombia and northwest Venezuela S. s. sibilatrix (Temminck, 1824) – east Bolivia and south Brazil to northeast Argentina. The whistling heron measures 53 to 64 cm in length and weighs 521 to 546 g. The southern subspecies is bigger but has a shorter bill in proportion to the body.
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We only publish recordings we may use commercially, because this site is supported by ads. xeno-canto lists 81 recordings for this species: 14 CC BY-NC-SA · 1 CC BY-NC-ND. None of them permits commercial use, so there is no player here — the page is kept as a profile so the bird is not missing from the guide.
As soon as someone uploads a freely licensed recording, we mirror it and the player appears here.
Listed as recorded in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia in the xeno-canto catalogue.
Other birds you can hear here
- American Barn OwlTyto furcatarecording
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- Ash-throated CrakeMustelirallus albicollisrecording
- BananaquitCoereba flaveolarecording
- Band-winged NightjarSystellura longirostrisrecording
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These are the birds recorded alongside it, not close relatives — the site holds no other member of its genus or family yet.