Icacos Point is the southwesternmost point in Trinidad and Tobago . It is at the end of a long peninsula that forms Saint Patrick County . A channel called the Serpent's Mouth separates Icacos Point from the coast of Venezuela , only 11 kilometers away. A good image of the Serpent's mouth is seen in Travelling Luck's link which provides additional detail on the area "Although Icacos is referred to as a Point which suggests a narrow piece of land, parts of the area are also been referred to as a village in Teneil Nurse's blog where Ms Nurse writes on the history of Icacos.
40-461: The Icacos Beach which is photographed in the link, is identified as being after Icacos. While this may be so, given that Icacos is an area which is exposed to the sea on many sides, there may be other beaches worth exploring, however the state of the road may need to be taken into account in planning a visit to the beach in Icacos. In 2008, a new primary school was opened in Icacos in what was formerly
80-411: A coconut estate. The new primary school replaced the older wooden structure in which persons such as one of the former Prime Ministers of the country, Mr. George Chambers was educated. Designed as a model school, the structure houses a computer lab, a music room and a library. There is the intent to offer classes to the adults, in addition to the children of the nearby villages. On the way to Icacos lies
120-422: A long, narrow, decurved bill. Their legs and neck are long and extended in flight. A juvenile scarlet ibis is a mix of grey, brown, and white. As it grows, a heavy diet of red crustaceans produces the scarlet coloration. The color change begins with the juvenile's second moult , around the time it begins to fly: the change starts on the back and spreads gradually across the body while increasing in intensity over
160-509: A more general American ibis species, along with its close relative, the American white ibis ( Eudocimus albus ). The species was first classified by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Initially given the binomial nomenclature of Scolopax rubra (the name incorporates the Latin adjective ruber , "red"), the species was later designated Guara rubra and ultimately Eudocimus ruber . Biologically
200-404: A national list of endangered species . The scarlet ibis and the rufous-vented chachalaca, popularly known as the cocrico , are the national birds of Trinidad and Tobago respectively. Both birds are featured on the coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago . The cocrico is found on Tobago, Venezuela and Colombia. The scarlet ibis is associated with Trinidad; there are not documented records of
240-464: A period of about two years. The scarlet ibis is the only shorebird with red coloration in the world. Adults are 55–63 centimetres (22–25 in) long, and the males, slightly larger than females, typically weigh about 1.4 kilograms (3.1 lb). Their bills are also on average around 22% longer than those of females. The life span of the scarlet ibis is approximately sixteen years in the wild and twenty years in captivity. An adult scarlet ibis has
280-410: A single species . These may include: Two or more organisms , populations , or taxa are conspecific if they belong to the same species . Where different species can interbreed and their gametes compete, the conspecific gametes take precedence over heterospecific gametes. This is known as conspecific sperm precedence , or conspecific pollen precedence in plants. The antonym of conspecificity
320-586: A single lane road way that is flanked on opposite sides by two large saltwater lagoons. A popular site for bird watchers. The national bird the Scarlet ibis can be frequently seen here. A Health Centre was established in Icacos under the South Western Regional Health Facility to serve adults and children. According to information provided in a 2009 photo of the coconut oil factory on Constance Estate, "the coconut oil factory
360-435: A surfeit of astaxanthin , a carotenoid which is the key component of the birds' red pigmentation. Frogs, small snakes, small fish ( Cichlidae ), fruits and seeds are also occasional prey items for scarlet ibises. When kept in zoos, the birds' diet often contains beetroot and carrot supplement to maintain color vibrancy in their plumage. The Llanos are notable in that these wetland plains support seven species of ibis in
400-457: A transfer of seminal fluids occurs during external contact between the cloacal openings. After a gestation period of five to six days, the female lays a clutch of three to five smooth, matte eggs which typically incubate for 19–23 days. After a successful courtship, pairs remain faithful and cohabitant, sharing parental responsibilities for the young. In southeastern Brazil, the ibises gather in colonies in mid-September and build nests at
440-633: A wingspan of around 54 centimetres (21 in). Though it spends most of its time on foot or wading through water, the bird is a very strong flyer: they are highly migratory and easily capable of long-distance flight . They move as flocks in a classic V formation . The range of the scarlet ibis is very large, and colonies are found throughout vast areas of South America and the Caribbean islands. Native flocks exist in Brazil ; Colombia ; French Guiana ; Guyana ; Suriname ; and Venezuela , as well as
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#1732769416308480-492: Is a species of ibis in the bird family Threskiornithidae . It inhabits tropical South America and part of the Caribbean . In form, it resembles most of the other twenty-seven extant species of ibis, but its remarkably brilliant scarlet coloration makes it unmistakable. It is one of the two national birds of Trinidad and Tobago , and its Tupi–Guarani name, guará , is part of the name of several municipalities along
520-446: Is a feature that allows for the advantage of adaptability in diet and survival. As a species, humans are culture dependent and much of human survival relies on the culture and social relationships. With the evolutionary change of the reduction of the pelvis and enlarged cranial capacity; events like childbirth are dependent on a safe, social setting to assist in the childbirth; a birthing mother will seek others when going into labor. This
560-471: Is a uniquely human experience, as other animals are able to give birth on their own and often choose to isolate themselves to do so to protect their young. An example of a genetic adaptation unique to humans is the gene apolipoprotein E (APOE4) on chromosome 19 . While chimpanzees may have the APOE gene , the study "The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene appears functionally monomorphic in chimpanzees" shows that
600-415: Is essential to their survival and complex culture. This culture must be learned, is variable and highly malleable to fit distinct social parameters. Humans do not simply communicate with a code or general understanding, but adhere to social standards, hierarchies, technologies, complex system of regulations and must maintain many dimensions of relationships in order to survive. This complexity of language and
640-419: Is in keeping with the style of other amenities of the property. In 2010, according to Angelo Bissessarsingh, one of the units of the barrack style house was still in use by a single employee of the estate. 10°03′38″N 61°55′40″W / 10.06056°N 61.92778°W / 10.06056; -61.92778 Scarlet ibis The scarlet ibis , sometimes called red ibis ( Eudocimus ruber ),
680-565: Is included in Bluebeard's Egg (1983). The name also belongs to a book of verse by American poet Susan Hahn . Conspecificity Biological specificity is the tendency of a characteristic such as a behavior or a biochemical variation to occur in a particular species . Biochemist Linus Pauling stated that "Biological specificity is the set of characteristics of living organisms or constituents of living organisms of being special or doing something special. Each animal or plant species
720-415: Is special. It differs in some way from all other species...biological specificity is the major problem about understanding life." Homo sapiens has many characteristics that show the biological specificity in the form of behavior and morphological traits. Morphologically, humans have an enlarged cranial capacity and more gracile features in comparison to other hominins . The reduction of dentition
760-406: The cohesion species concept they would be functionally different species. Some biologists now wish to pair them with Eudocimus albus as two subspecies of the same American ibis. Others simply define both of them as one and the same species, with ruber being a color variation of albus . Adult plumage is virtually all scarlet . The feathers may show various tints and shades , but only
800-480: The 1960s according to the post accompanying the photo. There are photos of well preserved Barrack style housing which were built in the 1850s for use by the indentured laborers on the Constance Estate. In the image is a jalousie style window which may have been at odds with the concept of barrack style housing as this style of window would have been out of character for the style of the building, however it
840-457: The already multifaceted society. Characteristics may further be described as being interspecific , intraspecific , and conspecific . Interspecificity (literally between/among species ), or being interspecific , describes issues between organisms of separate species . These may include: Intraspecificity (literally within species ), or being intraspecific , describes behaviors, biochemical variations and other issues within members of
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#1732769416308880-459: The beginning of November. Egg laying within the colony was synchronous, with female birds laying eggs in three waves in early November, late December and late January. Their distinctive long, thin bills are used to probe for food in soft mud or under plants. Popularly imagined to be eating only shrimp , a recent study in the Llanos has found that much of their diet consists of insects, of which
920-407: The coast of Brazil . This medium-sized wader is a hardy, numerous, and prolific bird, and it has protected status around the world. Its IUCN status is Least Concern . The legitimacy of Eudocimus ruber as a biological classification , however, is in dispute. Traditional Linnaean taxonomy classifies it as a unique species, but some scientists have moved to reclassify it as a subspecies of
960-461: The coastal areas of Joinville and the island of São Francisco do Sul . The highest concentrations are found in the Llanos region of western Venezuela and eastern Colombia. The fertile and remote tropical grassland plain of the Llanos provides a safe haven far from human encroachment. Together with its relative the bare-faced ibis , the scarlet ibis is remarkably prolific and conspicuous in
1000-521: The convenient shelter of young waterside mangrove trees. Scarlet ibises like wet, muddy areas such as swamps, but for safety they build their nests in trees well above the water. If they can, they nest on islands, where their eggs and chicks are less likely to be in danger from predators. To attract a female, the male will perform a variety of mating rituals such as "preening, shaking, bill popping, head rubbing, and high flights. As with most birds, mating does not involve any coupling or insertion: instead,
1040-479: The dependence on culture is uniquely human. Intraspecific behaviors and variations exist within Homo sapiens which adds to the complexity of culture and language. Intraspecific variations are differences in behavior or biology within a species. Variation in genetic expression of race and gender and complexities within society lead to social constructs such as roles. These add to power dynamics and hierarchies within
1080-566: The diversity of the APOE gene in humans in unique. The polymorphism in APOE is only in humans as they carry alleles APOE2, APOE3, APOE4; APOE4 which allows human to break down fatty protein and eat more protein than their ancestors is also a genomic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease . There are many behavioral characteristics that are specific to Homo sapiens in addition to childbirth. Specific and elaborate tool creation and use and language are other areas. Humans do not simply communicate; language
1120-678: The islands of the Netherlands Antilles , and Trinidad and Tobago . Flocks gather in wetlands and other marshy habitats, including mud flats, shoreline and rainforest . Outlying colonies have been identified in the coastal areas of the states of Espírito Santo , Rio de Janeiro , São Paulo (for example in the Santos-Cubatão mangroves of the Baixada Santista district), Paraná and Santa Catarina . In recent years, bird colonies can be seen as far south as in
1160-624: The majority were scarabs and ground beetles . One species in particular, a scarab beetle Dyscinetus dubius , formed a large part of the diet. Other insect prey include water beetles and water bugs . In contrast, the diet of the co-occurring American white ibis there differed, the latter consuming more bugs , fish and crustaceans. They do, however, eat much shrimp and other similar fare like ragworms ( Nereis ), mollusks (such as Melampus ), small crabs ( Aratus , Uca and Ucides ) and other crustaceans, such as crayfish. The large quantity of shrimp and other red shellfish produces
1200-533: The one region. Here, scarlet ibis are the most aggressive, and attack other species to steal their food. They have also been observed trailing white-faced whistling ducks ( Dendrocygna viduata ) and domestic livestock, and catching insects disturbed by them. The scarlet ibis is a sociable and gregarious bird, and very communally-minded regarding the search for food and the protection of the young. They live in flocks of thirty or more. Members stay close, and mating pairs arrange their nests in proximity to other pairs in
1240-523: The red and white, lending support to the two-species viewpoint. More recent observation, however, has documented significant crossbreeding and hybridization in the wild. Researchers Cristina Ramo and Benjamin Busto found evidence of interbreeding in a population where the ranges of the scarlet and white ibises overlap along the coast and in the Llanos in Colombia and Venezuela. They observed individuals of
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1280-755: The region. Scarlet ibis vagrants have been identified in Belize, Ecuador, and Panama; Aruba, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, and Jamaica; sightings have even been made in the United States. The species may well have been a natural vagrant to the Gulf Coast in the 19th century or earlier – in The Birds of America , John James Audubon made brief remarks regarding three rubra specimens he encountered in Louisiana. However, virtually all modern occurrences of
1320-502: The same tree. For protection, flocks often congregate in large colonies of several thousand individuals. They also regularly participate in mixed flocks, gaining additional safety through numbers: storks, spoonbills, egrets, herons and ducks are all common companions during feedings and flights. The species has protected status throughout the world, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified
1360-591: The scarlet ibis as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List . Though several local populations appear to be in decline, global totals remain relatively large and the current rate of losses is not considered a threat to the species' survival. Nonetheless, recent losses by established populations in French Guiana have become a concern for conservationists, and in Brazil the bird has been included on
1400-504: The scarlet ibis is very closely related to the American white ibis ( Eudocimus albus ) and is sometimes considered conspecific with it, leaving modern science divided over their taxonomy . The two birds each have exactly the same bones, claws, beaks, feather arrangements and other features – their one marked difference lies in their pigmentation. Traditional taxonomy has regarded the two as separate and distinct. Early ornithological field research revealed no natural crossbreeding among
1440-480: The scarlet ibis on Tobago for the last fifteen years. An important local habitat for the scarlet ibis is the wildlife sanctuary of Caroni Swamp of Trinidad, a 199 hectares (490 acres) wetland reserve first designated in 1953 specifically to provide a habitat for the scarlet ibis. Using the bird as a literary symbol, American author James Hurst composed a popular short story, " The Scarlet Ibis " (1960). A more recent short story, "Scarlet Ibis" by Margaret Atwood ,
1480-580: The species in North America have been introduced or escaped birds. In one notable example from 1962, scarlet ibis eggs were placed in white ibis nests in Florida's Greynolds Park , and the resulting population hybridised easily, producing "pink ibises" that are still occasionally seen. Mating pairs build nests in a simple style, typically "loose platforms of sticks" of a quality described as "artless". They roost in leaf canopies, mostly preferring
1520-405: The tips of their wings deviate from their namesake color. A small but reliable marking, these wingtips are a rich inky black (or occasionally dark blue) and are found only on the longest primaries – otherwise the birds' coloration is "a vivid orange-red, almost luminous in quality." Scarlet ibises have red bills and feet however the bill is sometimes blackish, especially toward the end. They have
1560-418: The two species mating and pairing, as well as hybrid ibises with pale orange plumage, or white plumage with occasional orange feathers , and have proposed that these birds be classified as a single species. Hybridization has been known to occur frequently in captivity. However, the two color forms persist in the wild despite overlapping ranges and hybrid offspring having a distinctive color type, so according to
1600-399: Was erected in 1907, the chimney was constructed using 20,000 Glasgow bricks which were used in the hold of a ship as ballast". There are photos of the chimney which extends into the sky above the ruins of a nearby building in 2010. Also located on the Constance Estate is an old Steam Boiler, which was still in place in a Sept 2010 photo. The steam boiler was used on the estate from the 1920s to
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