It is a medium-sized, slender ibis with an elegant silhouette, easily recognized by the bare pink facial skin and pink base of the bill, a key feature behind its common name. The plumage is mostly dark brown to blackish, with a dull sheen, while the wings appear more uniformly colored. The bill is long, thin, pink, and slightly downcurved, and the legs are long, ranging from reddish to dull pink. Juveniles show feathered faces and overall duller tones.
Geographic distribution: It is widely distributed across South America, from the northern regions of the continent southward to central and northeastern Argentina, including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas. Its range is closely associated with wetland availability.
Habitat: It inhabits marshes, swamps, lagoons, flooded grasslands, rice fields, and the edges of freshwater bodies, occurring in both natural wetlands and human-modified rural landscapes. It favors open areas with soft soils.
Feeding: Its diet consists mainly of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, such as insects, larvae, mollusks, crustaceans, and small worms. Foraging is performed by probing the mud with the bill, relying primarily on tactile feeding behavior.
Behavior: It is a gregarious and fairly tame species, usually observed in small flocks while feeding. Activity is mainly diurnal, and individuals move slowly while searching the substrate. Outside the breeding season, it may associate with other waterbirds.
Nesting: Breeding occurs in colonies, often shared with herons, spoonbills, and other ibises. Nests are built from sticks and vegetation on shrubs, low trees, or emergent plants near water. Both parents take part in incubation and chick care.
Conservation status: It is classified as Least Concern, due to its wide distribution and stable populations. However, wetland degradation and loss may cause local impacts.
Author of this compilation: EcoRegistros – 22/12/2025