Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis)

Identification & Behavior: ~74.5 cm (29.3 in). The Black-faced Ibis has a rufous cap that grades to shades of buff towards the base of the neck. Adult birds have a distinctive dark wattle in the throat, which is more prominent in males. The upperparts in adult birds are gray with a broad pale wing patch on the sides. The underparts are pale in the breast area with a black belly. They have short red legs and long decurved bill. Juvenile birds are rufous in the head and neck and more uniform gray upperparts. The Black-faced Ibis is distinguished from the closely related Andean Ibis by having broad white wing patches and the dark wattle in the throat.

Status: The Black-faced ibis is restricted to the coastal lowlands where it is now rare. Pairs or small flocks forage along the edges of wetlands and agricultural fields. The decline of this species’ population is attributed to the destruction of coastal wetlands in Peru. It also occurs in Ec and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Bandurria de Cara Negra.

Sub-species: Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis) Gmelin, JF, 1789.

Meaning of Name: Theristicus: Gr. theristikos, theistron= a sickle shaped tool to collect or harvest. melanopis: Gr. Melas=black, opsis=appearance..

Go to the Family Threskiornithidae