Source and Additional Information

Animal Diversity Web
 
Katherine Phelps
Some rights reserved

Eudocimus ruber is a highly communal species. It is social both during nesting and when searching for food. Eudocimus ruber will fly in large flocks between different feeding and roosting sites. In flight, the birds will soar and also glide at great heights and speeds. If disturbed, sometimes all the birds of a nesting area will take flight at once. Territorial disputes between males are settled by size. (Hancock, Kushlan, and Kahl, 1992)

Home Range

The range for E. ruber is varied and extensive, because of nomadic movements between nesting and foraging sites. Shifts occur between the interior wetlands of northern South America to coastal locations. More specifically, birds forage between the higher and lower llanos of South America. Nesting then takes place in northwestern Columbia and along the Atlantic coast and into Brazil where it nests along the northeastern coast. (Hancock, Kushlan, and Kahl, 1992)

Communication and Perception

Source and Additional Information

Animal Diversity Web
 
Katherine Phelps
Some rights reserved

Eudocimus ruber produces a honking noise to communicate disturbances in the nest and also uses the noise in courtship. The young have a shrill cry, that they use to let parents know that they are in need of food. Touch is important during courtship. The males and females make greeting displays to one another and then wrap necks. The male produces the honking noise during courtship, while the female produces more of a squealing sound. (Hancock, Kushlan, and Kahl, 1992)