Head to head
Buff-necked Ibis vs Puna Ibis
Buff-necked Ibis
VS Puna Ibis
Both are South American ibis species, but one has left water behind while the other depends on it at extreme altitude.
| Buff-necked Ibis | Puna Ibis | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Theristicus caudatus | Plegadis ridgwayi |
| Foraging habitat | Dry, open grassland | Shallow wetland water and mud |
| Plumage | A buff-coloured neck with grey wings and a dark cap | Glossy, iridescent dark plumage |
| Elevation | A broad range of elevations | High-altitude Andean wetlands specifically |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Social structure | Pairs or small groups | Mixed breeding colonies with other waterbirds |
| Habitat | Grassland, wetlands | Wetlands, mountains |
Buff-necked Ibis vs Puna Ibis: common questions
Which one forages on dry grassland rather than in water?
The buff-necked ibis does this, foraging mainly across open, dry grassland, unlike the puna ibis, which depends on shallow wetland water and mud instead.
Which one has glossy, iridescent plumage?
The puna ibis has this feature, dark plumage that catches an iridescent sheen of green and purple, unlike the buff-necked ibis's more muted buff-and-grey colouring.
Which one breeds at the highest elevations?
The puna ibis breeds highest, found on some of the highest wetlands used by any ibis species in the world, higher than the buff-necked ibis's broader elevational range.