Theristicus

Theristicus
File:Theristicus melanopis 1 Frank Vassen.jpg
Black-faced ibis.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Pelecaniformes
Family:	Threskiornithidae
Subfamily:	Threskiornithinae
Genus:	Theristicus Wagler, 1832

Theristicus is a genus of birds in the Threskiornithidae family. They are found in open, grassy habitats in South America. All have a long, decurved dark bill, relatively short reddish legs that do not extend beyond the tail in flight (unlike e.g. Eudocimus and Plegadis), and at least the back is grey.

Taxonomy

Formerly, T. caudatus included T. melanopis as a subspecies, but today all major authorities accept the split. Furthermore, it has recently been suggested that the taxon branickii should be considered a species, but at present most authorities maintain it as a subspecies of T. melanopis.

• Plumbeous ibis, Theristicus caerulescens
• Buff-necked ibis, Theristicus caudatus
• Black-faced ibis, Theristicus melanopis
  • Andean ibis, Theristicus (melanopis) branickii

References

• Matheu, E., & J. del Hoyo (1992). Family Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills). pp. 472–506 in: del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, & J. Sargatal (editors). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 1. Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-10-5