Photo: Thomas Quine / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Puna Ibis
Plegadis ridgwayi
Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of South America.
Found across 3 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi) is a member of the Threskiornithidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 579 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pelecaniformes
- Family Threskiornithidae Ibises, Spoonbills
- Genus Plegadis
- Species ridgwayi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 579 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Threskiornithidae
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Puna Ibis hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Puna Ibis is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi) is a member of the Threskiornithidae family, within the order Pelecaniformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA n Peru to n Chile and nw Argentina.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 579 g, with a wing length of about 27.8 cm and a tail of around 10.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 495,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Puna Ibis?
The Puna Ibis is a large bird that weighs around 579 g.
Where does the Puna Ibis live?
The Puna Ibis is found across South America with a range covering SA n Peru to n Chile and nw Argentina, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Puna Ibis belong to?
The Puna Ibis (Plegadis ridgwayi) belongs to the Threskiornithidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.
What does the Puna Ibis eat?
The Puna Ibis hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Puna Ibis migrate?
The Puna Ibis is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Puna Ibis endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Puna Ibis make?
1 real field recording of the Puna Ibis — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Puna Ibis's range?
The Puna Ibis has a mapped global range of about 495,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Threskiornithidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Herons, Pelicans & Ibises
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Vulnerable
Endangered
Least Concern