Common Name: Puna Ibis Scientific Name: Plegadis ridgwayi
LEAST CONCERN Puna Ibis Distribution: Western South America
Habitat: Wetlands Height: 56 - 61cm Weight: 1.3kg Diet: Carnivorous
Adult male Puna Ibis have a chestnut coloured head and purplegreen gloss on their back. They have a brown-red bill and dark legs. Non-breeding adults and juveniles have much duller plumage and have fine white streaks. Found in central western South America in the highlands of Peru, Bolivia and in the very north of Chile and Argentina. They prefer swampy areas and other habitats including streams, mudflats and ponds. They are not an endangered species and stable populations have been recorded. They eat amphibians, insects and small aquatic animals. They will probe the mud and water with their bill to find their prey. The Puna Ibis doesn’t have a specific breeding season but laying seems to peak in April to July. They form colonies and nest in tall reeds using dry vegetation. Usually 2 eggs are laid and the chick hatches with a covering of dark brown down.
This species does not migrate to breed but does move throughout the year. Large numbers have been observed visiting the Peruvian coast from May to September.