Systematics

Theristicus branickii Berlepsch and Sztolcman, 1894, Ibis 6(23):404. Type locality given as "Peruvia alta—lacus Junin, et Maraynioc, Pariayacu" [= Maraynioc, Marcapomacocha Distrinct, Junín Region, Peru] (11 Berlepsch, H. von, and J. Stolzmann (1894). Descriptions de quelques espèces nouvelles d’oiseaux du Pérou central. Ibis 6:385–405. Close ).

While originally described as a separate species, and treated as such in early works (e.g., 12 Peters, J. L. (1931). Check-list of Birds of the World. Volume 1. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, USA. Close ), Andean Ibis has often been treated as conspecific with Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis), where it is treated as a separate subspecies (e.g, 13 Dickinson, E. C., and J. V. Remsen Jr. (2013). The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. Fourth edition. Aves Press, Eastbourne, United Kingdom. Close , 14 Mayr, E., and G. W. Cottrell, Editors (1979). Check-list of Birds of the World. Volume 1. 2nd Edition. Museum of Comparative Zoology, MA, USA. Close ). Together, these two taxa have also sometimes been treated as conspecific with Buff-necked Ibis (Theristicus caudatus) under an expanded Theristicus caudatus (15 Hellmayr, C. E., and B. Conover (1948). Catalogue of birds of the Americas. Pt. 1, No. 2. Spheniscidae to Anatidae. Field Museum Publications 13. Chicago, IL, USA. Close ). It is recognized as a distinct species here on the basis of morphometric, structural, and plumage differences, including its lack of a throat wattle, shorter bill, longer tail, its whitish versus rusty-buff patch on the upper belly, and the rufous-chestnut coloration onto the crown continuing on the face and upper neck (1 Collar, N. J., and J. P. Bird (2011). Phenotypic discrimination of the Andean Ibis (Theristicus branickii). Wilson Journal of Ornithology 123(3):459–463. Close ). In addition to the morphological differences noted by Collar and Bird (1 Collar, N. J., and J. P. Bird (2011). Phenotypic discrimination of the Andean Ibis (Theristicus branickii). Wilson Journal of Ornithology 123(3):459–463. Close ), ecological differences, as well as their interactions in locations where both Andean Ibis and Black-faced Ibis occur together (16 Vizcarra, J. (2009). Observaciones de Theristicus melanopis melanopis y Theristicus melanopis branickii en el distrito de Ite, Sur de Perú. Boletín Chileno de Ornitología 15(2):104-110. Close , 17 Vizcarra, J. K., and T. E. Høgsås (2010). Descubrimiento de dos sitios de anidamiento de Theristicus melanopis melanopis en Tacna, sur de Perú. Cotinga 32:111–112. Close ), further suggest that they are distinct species. In Chile and Peru where both occur together, flocks of the two species seem to maintain separation from each other, foraging some distance apart; further, when a single Andean Ibis was seen near a colony of Black-faced Ibis, there were aggressive interactions between the two species, suggesting potential reproductive isolation between the two (16 Vizcarra, J. (2009). Observaciones de Theristicus melanopis melanopis y Theristicus melanopis branickii en el distrito de Ite, Sur de Perú. Boletín Chileno de Ornitología 15(2):104-110. Close ).

Nothing known.

Andean Ibis has not been included in any molecular phylogenetic studies, but it is presumably very closely related to both Black-faced Ibis and Buff-necked Ibis. In a phylogenetic study based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence data, Black-faced Ibis and Buff-necked Ibis were found to be very closely related, and showed very little genetic divergence; it is likely that Andean Ibis is similarly closely related to these two species (18 Ramirez, J. L., C. Y. Miyaki, and S. N. Del Lama (2013). Molecular phylogeny of Threskiornithidae (Aves: Pelecaniformes) based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Genetics and Molecular Research 12(3):2740-2750 Close ). Together, Black-faced Ibis and Buff-necked Ibis (likely including Andean Ibis) were found to be sister to Plumbeous Ibis (Theristicus caerulescens); these species formed a well-supported clade with Bare-faced Ibis (Phimosus infuscatus) (18 Ramirez, J. L., C. Y. Miyaki, and S. N. Del Lama (2013). Molecular phylogeny of Threskiornithidae (Aves: Pelecaniformes) based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Genetics and Molecular Research 12(3):2740-2750 Close ).

None reported (19 McCarthy, E. M. (2006). Handbook of Avian Hybrids of the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom. Close ).

The English name Andean Ibis is related to the specialized habitat, in the high Andes. Locally known as "Bandurria de la puna" in Chile, "Bandurria acollarada andina" in Peru, and "Bandurria andina" in Ecuador.

Information needed.