Study history
The white-necked ibis (Latin Theristicus caudatus) is a South American bird from the ibis family.
Spread
The white-necked ibis is common on the northern coast of South America, from Colombia and Venezuela to Guiana. To the south, the area of ​​distribution extends throughout Brazil to Mato Grosso and northern Argentina and Uruguay. Birds prefer open landscapes, as well as river banks, sea coasts and wetlands. However, they can often be observed at a great distance from water bodies, for example, on burnt fields.
Appearance
White-necked ibis from 71 to 76 cm long. The head and neck are brownish, the crown is darker, the neck is lighter. The wings are gray, whitish at the edges. The beak bent down is dark gray, the legs are red. There is black plumage behind the beak and around the eyes. The white-necked ibis is similar in plumage to an equal-sized black-faced ibis, only the neck is lighter and the white surface of the wings stands out.
Structural features
There is no pronounced sexual dimorphism. Young birds have a striped brown neck. The subspecies Theristicus hyperorius has a paler neck and less white on the wings.
Reproduction
The bird nests in trees or on rocks, more often in free colonies. In clutch there are from 2 to 4 eggs.
Food
The white-necked ibis feeds on worms, bivalves, crustaceans, large insects, snails, amphibians and small mammals.
Number
The IUCN classifies the species as not endangered, with a worldwide population estimated between 25,000 and 100,000 individuals.
