Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis) [XC16543]
by Andrew Spencer from Farellones-Valle Nevado Road, Chile (dawn-dusk chorus)
Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis) [XC783604]
by Jos\u00e9 Luis Bartheld from Carretera Austral \/ Puente Chamiza (near Chamiza), Llanquihue, Los Lagos, Chile (begging call)
Subspecies
Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis) and Andean Ibis (Theristicus branickii) (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) have been lumped into Theristicus melanopis following SACC (2005).
Formerly considered subspecies of Buff-necked Ibis (Theristicus caudatus), with which forms superspecies. Subspecies branickii sometimes regarded as full species, on basis mainly of ecological differences.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
branickii (Gmelin, 1789) - Andes of Ecuador to northern Chile and northern Bolivia. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Andean Ibis (Theristicus branickii).
melanopis (Gmelin, 1789) - Southern Chile and southern Argentina, migrating outside breeding season to northern Argentina; isolated population in coastal Peru.