Buff-necked Ibis

Identification

The buff-necked ibis is a fairly large ibis with a total length of approximately 75 centimetres. The species is named for its distinctive buffish neck, which contrasts with its grey upperparts and black belly and flight feathers. In flight, the most striking feature is a large white patch on the wings that forms a broad white band on the upperwing, separating the black remiges from the grey lesser wing-coverts. Unlike some other ibis species, the relatively short legs do not extend beyond the tail in flight. The bill and bare skin around the eyes are blackish, while the legs are a vivid red, providing useful field marks when viewing perched birds.

The buff-necked ibis was formerly considered to include the black-faced ibis as a subspecies, but these are now recognized as distinct species. The black-faced ibis inhabits the colder parts of South America and differs in having a buff lower chest, a darker face, and lacking the white wing-patches that are so conspicuous in the buff-necked ibis.

Range & Habitat

The buff-necked ibis is found widely across eastern and northern South America in two primary populations. The nominate subspecies ranges across northern and central South America, occurring in Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas and Brazil, while the subspecies hyperorius is found in south-central South America, including southern Brazil, eastern and northern Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. The species has been recorded as an accidental visitor in Panama.

This ibis inhabits a wide range of open habitats, including fields, marshes, savanna and grassland. It is almost entirely restricted to tropical and warmer subtropical lowlands, though it may locally extend into highlands, though never reaching the elevations favoured by the Andean ibis. The species is almost entirely resident throughout its range, although local movements may occur. With a large range and an estimated population of 25,000 to 100,000 individuals, the buff-necked ibis is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Behaviour & Diet

The buff-necked ibis forages in soft soils, searching for a varied diet consisting mainly of insects, spiders, frogs, reptiles, snails, other invertebrates and small mammals. Like other ibises, it uses its specialized bill to probe and extract prey from the substrate.

The female typically lays two to four eggs in a platform nest constructed from twigs and branches, positioned in a tree. This nesting strategy is typical of many ibis species.

Best Time & Places to See It

The buff-necked ibis is resident throughout its range, making it potentially visible year-round. Open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, marshes and fields across northern South America, particularly in Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas and Brazil for the nominate subspecies, offer the best opportunities. For the southern subspecies hyperorius, suitable open habitats in southern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina should yield sightings.

Photography Tips

The striking white wing-patches are most visible and dramatic in flight, making flight photography particularly rewarding. The contrast between the white upperwing band and black remiges provides excellent compositional opportunities. The red legs and blackish facial skin are useful field marks to capture in portraits of perched birds. Look for the species in open habitats where it can be observed at a distance while foraging in soft soils. Early morning or late afternoon light will enhance the subtle grey and buff plumage tones.