Buff-necked Ibis

The Buff-necked Ibis, or Theristicus caudatus, known also as the White-throated Ibis, is a fairly large and distinctive bird. It boasts a buffish neck, grey upperparts, and a striking contrast of black belly and flight feathers. A notable feature is the large white patch in its wings, which becomes particularly prominent in flight.

Identification Tips

When observing the Buff-necked Ibis, look for its buff-colored neck and the large white wing patch that separates the black remiges from the grey lesser wing-coverts. The bird's bill and bare skin around the eyes are blackish, while its legs present a vibrant red hue. In flight, note that the relatively short legs do not extend beyond the tail, a characteristic that differentiates it from similar species.

Habitat

This ibis favors a variety of open habitats, ranging from fields and marshes to savannas and grasslands. It is typically found in tropical and warmer subtropical lowlands but may occasionally venture into highland areas, though not as high as its relative, the Andean ibis.

Distribution

The Buff-necked Ibis is widespread across northern and central South America, with two primary populations. The nominate subspecies, T. c. caudatus, inhabits Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and Brazil, while the subspecies T. c. hyperorius is found in southern Brazil, eastern and northern Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. It is also an accidental visitor in Panama.

Behaviour

This ibis is known for its diet, which mainly consists of insects, spiders, frogs, reptiles, snails, invertebrates, and small mammals found in soft soils. It is predominantly a resident species, though some local movements may occur.

Breeding

The female Buff-necked Ibis typically lays two to four eggs in a platform nest constructed from twigs and branches, situated in a tree.

Conservation status

With an estimated population of 25,000 to 100,000 individuals and a large range, the Buff-necked Ibis is currently evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.