Bare-Faced Ibis

By Marla Lise

Scientific Name: Phimosus infuscatus

The Bare-Faced Ibis is also known as the ‘Whispering Ibis’. Unlike the Scarlet Ibis, the Bare-Faced Ibis is dark brown or black in color. This bird is so-called because it doesn’t have any feathers on the red colored skin on its face. It also has a long orangey-colored curved beak and pink legs.

Bare-Faced Ibis. Photo by Rhett A. Butler
The Ibis is found around South America in swampy marshland areas. It is usually found in solitude, using its long bill to probe the wet soggy ground for worms, other small invertebrates and insects.

Nests are built out of sticks and twigs and the mother then lays 2-5 eggs which she sits on for up to 3 weeks. Although the Bare-Faced Ibis is not listed as ‘least concern’ under the IUCN’s list of endangered species, the species is highly vulnerable to predators. Colonies in Venezuela may lose up to 80% of their chicks during the breeding season.


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