Head to head
Bare-faced Ibis vs Black-faced Ibis
Bare-faced Ibis
VS Black-faced Ibis
Both are South American ibises that probe soil for hidden prey with a long, curved bill, but their ranges and builds differ.
| Bare-faced Ibis | Black-faced Ibis | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Phimosus infuscatus | Theristicus melanopis |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Range | Central and eastern South America | High Andes to Patagonia |
| Facial marking | Bare reddish-pink skin | Bare black skin patch |
| Body size | Smaller, darker build | Larger build |
| Elevation tolerance | Lowland specialist | Broad, from high Andes to lowland |
| Foraging habitat | Damp grassland and wetlands | Dry grassland mainly |
| Diet | Worms, insects, invertebrates | Earthworms, insects, invertebrates |
Bare-faced Ibis vs Black-faced Ibis: common questions
How do these two ibises differ in range?
The bare-faced ibis is restricted to central and eastern South America, while the black-faced ibis ranges much more broadly, from high Andean grassland down to lowland Patagonian pasture.
How can you tell these two ibises apart?
The bare-faced ibis shows bare reddish-pink facial skin against a smaller, darker body, while the black-faced ibis has a patch of bare black facial skin and a larger overall build.
Do both ibises hunt the same way?
Yes, both use a long, downward-curved bill to probe soil and shallow water for worms, insects, and other small invertebrates, a technique shared broadly across ibis species.