Puna Ibis approximately 56–60 cm in length, with long legs, a relatively short and sturdy neck, and a long, downward-curved bill. The sexes are similar. In breeding plumage, the head, neck, and breast are dark chestnut, while the rest of the body is blackish with purple, bronze, and green iridescence. The bare facial skin and bill are pink to reddish, the iris is dark red, and the legs are blackish. In non-breeding plumage, the overall coloration becomes duller, with fine whitish streaking on the head and neck, and the bill takes on pale pink or dirty ivory tones. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but are duller overall and have a brownish bill. In flight, it shows broad wings and a relatively short neck, with only the toes projecting slightly beyond the tail.
It may locally occur alongside the White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) and the Bare-faced Ibis (Phimosus infuscatus), widespread lowland species that may occasionally coexist in Puna and foothill environments. It differs from the White-faced Ibis by its larger size, shorter and sturdier neck, blackish legs, and broader wings; additionally, in flight only the toes extend slightly beyond the tail, whereas in the White-faced Ibis the legs project well beyond it. It is easily distinguished from the Bare-faced Ibis by its much less extensive bare facial skin and its slimmer, more delicate bill; moreover, in the latter species the legs scarcely extend beyond the tail in flight.
Geographic distribution: It is distributed throughout the Altiplano and Puna from central Peru, western Bolivia, and northernmost Chile to northwestern Argentina. In Argentina, it occurs mainly in the high Andean wetlands of Jujuy and Salta, being scarcer and more localized in Catamarca and exceptional in Tucumán. It is found primarily between 2,000 and 4,500 m above sea level, although during winter it may make altitudinal movements to lower elevations. Occasional records also exist from foothill and Chaco environments in northwestern Argentina.
Habitat: It inhabits high Andean lakes, wet meadows, bofedales, streams, wet grasslands, and other wetlands of the Puna. It is especially associated with shallow waters and muddy substrates, generally remaining close to water, although it may also use nearby grasslands.
Diet: It feeds in small groups or flocks, mainly on aquatic insects, larvae, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates. While foraging, it walks slowly through muddy areas, repeatedly probing the substrate with its long, curved bill.
Behavior: It is generally a gregarious species, usually observed in small groups or flocks, often associated with other high Andean waterbirds. It has a fast, sustained flight, alternating wingbeats with short glides before landing. It is usually silent, although in flight it may utter a series of short, nasal croaks.
Nesting: It nests colonially, building a platform of dry vegetation among reeds and other marsh vegetation, generally over shallow water. The clutch usually consists of one to two pale blue or bluish-green eggs.
Conservation status: Classified as Least Concern (LC) at the international level. In Argentina, it is categorized as Threatened (AM) because of its small populations and its restricted distribution in the high Andean wetlands of the country´s northwest. The degradation of wet meadows and bofedales due to overgrazing, water extraction, mining activities, and other hydrological alterations represents the main threats to the species.
Author of this compilation: María Belén Dri and Diego Carús – 07/12/2026