Theristicus branickii
The Andean Ibis, *Theristicus branickii*, is a striking high-altitude specialist, distinguished by its robust build, measuring about 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) in length with a wingspan of roughly 120 cm (47 inches). Its plumage features a dark, iridescent body with a contrasting buffy-cinnamon head and neck, adorned with a shaggy crest that extends backward. A prominent field mark is the bare, blackish facial skin forming a 'spectacled' appearance around its dark eyes, complemented by a long, d...
This ibis primarily inhabits high-altitude grasslands, páramo, and puna ecosystems, often frequenting marshy areas, bogs, and wet meadows, as well as agricultural fields, at elevations typically between 3,000 and 5,000 meters.
Their diet consists mainly of invertebrates, including earthworms, insect larvae, grasshoppers, beetles, and snails, supplemented by small vertebrates like frogs, lizards, and sometimes seeds, acquired primarily by probing the soil.
Andean Ibises are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging in small groups or larger flocks, and often roost communally on cliff ledges or in trees. Their primary foraging strategy involves probing the soft ground with their long, sensitive bills to extract invertebrates. While not strictly...
The Andean Ibis is endemic to the high Andes of South America, with a disjunct distribution stretching from southern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru, into Bolivia, and extending south into extreme northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. This species is primarily found in the intermontane val...
Least Concern
- The Andean Ibis is among the highest-dwelling ibis species globally, regularly found above 4,000 meters in elevation. - Its distinctive 'spectacled' facial pattern is created by patches of bare, dark skin around its eyes, setting it apart from its close relatives. - Despite its high-altitude ha...