Xenicibis is a term used to refer to an extinct genus of birds that belonged to the family Threskiornithidae, also known as ibises. The word Xenicibis is derived from two Greek roots: "xeni" meaning "foreign" or "strange," and "cibis" meaning "ibis." Therefore, Xenicibis can be understood to denote a unique or peculiar ibis-like bird.
These birds existed during the Late Pleistocene epoch, specifically from approximately 126,000 to 11,000 years ago. They were endemic to the Caribbean islands, including islands such as Jamaica, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Xenicibis had distinctive morphological features that set them apart from other ibises. Particularly, their bills were highly downturned or decurved, making them distinctively different from the straight or slightly curved bills of other ibis species.
Based on the available fossil evidence, Xenicibis species are believed to have inhabited various types of habitats, including coastal areas, mangroves, and freshwater wetlands. They likely had a specialized diet that mainly consisted of small aquatic invertebrates, such as insects and crustaceans, which they captured using their uniquely shaped bills.
Sadly, these birds eventually became extinct due to unknown causes. Anthropogenic factors, such as hunting or habitat alteration, may have contributed to their disappearance. However, the precise reasons for their extinction remain uncertain due to limited evidence. The study of Xenicibis provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history and ecological dynamics of island bird species.
