Head to head
Black-faced Ibis vs Buff-necked Ibis
Black-faced Ibis
VS Buff-necked Ibis
Both ibis species belong to the same genus and share the unusual habit of foraging on dry ground rather than in water.
| Black-faced Ibis | Buff-necked Ibis | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Theristicus melanopis | Theristicus caudatus |
| Distinguishing feature | A black facial patch | A buff-coloured neck and upper breast |
| Elevation range | High Andes to lowland Patagonia | A broad range of elevations |
| Foraging habitat | Dry, open grassland | Dry, open grassland |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Social structure | Small flocks | Pairs or small groups |
| Habitat | Grassland, mountains | Grassland, wetlands |
Black-faced Ibis vs Buff-necked Ibis: common questions
Which one has a black facial patch?
The black-faced ibis has this feature, a distinctive patch of bare black skin on its face, unlike the buff-necked ibis's buff-coloured neck instead.
Which one has a buff-coloured neck?
The buff-necked ibis has this feature, a buff-coloured neck and upper breast that gives the species its name, a pattern not shared by the black-faced ibis.
Do both forage on dry grassland rather than in water?
Yes, both species forage mainly across open, dry grassland rather than wading through deep water, an unusual habit shared by this genus of ibis.