Black-faced ibis
Theristicus melanopis
At the Zoo
South American Tropical Aviary & Rainforest
Fascinating Facts
Ibises are found on every continent, except Antarctica. Black-faced ibis are often confused for the buff-necked ibis or the Andean ibis. Rainfall pattern will influence the nesting and breeding for the year as either too much or too little rain can negatively impact prey availability.
Physical Characteristics
Black-faced ibis are a medium-sized bird with a buff-colored head, neck and upper chest. The top of the head is rust-colored, with a black belly, gray wings, red legs and a black throat wattle, which gives the species its name. The have a long curved bill, which they will use for probing in the ground, searching for food. They have relatively long legs for walking or wading, while they search for food in soil or mud. Their nostrils are located at their top of the bill so they can breathe while the tip is submerged. They can live for up to 14 years in the wild and 28 years under human care.
Diet
They feed on insects, worms, small amphibians and rodents.
Habitat
Black-faced ibis are found in forests, grasslands and wetland
Social Behavior
Black-faced ibis are gregarious and will feed, roost, and nest in small flocks. They will give a courtship display while selecting a partner and a territorial display to intruders at the nesting site. They are monogamous during breeding season and both the male and female will build the nest, incubate the 2 – 3 eggs and raise the chicks. They are flexible when choosing a nesting site and building materials, and can nest on cliffs, rocky outcroppings, trees, or tree stumps, using branches or reeds, depending on what is available. When not feeding, they spend much of their time preening and cleaning their plumage.
Status In The Wild
They are found in southern South America, in Chile and Argentina, as well as a small population in Peru.
Other
Black-faced ibis are threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation.