Eudocimus ruber
The Scarlet Ibis, Eudocimus ruber, is an avian spectacle, renowned for its brilliant, fiery scarlet plumage that captivates observers across its South American and Caribbean range. Adults typically measure 56-61 cm (22-24 inches) in length with a wingspan of 90-100 cm (35-39 inches), weighing between 650-750 grams. Their most striking feature, beyond the intense red, is a long, slender, decurved black bill, contrasting with red legs and feet, though the bill may appear dark red at the base. I...
Primarily inhabiting tropical and subtropical coastal wetlands, the Scarlet Ibis favors mangrove swamps, mudflats, estuaries, and shallow lagoons, often at sea level or very low elevations.
The Scarlet Ibis primarily feeds on crustaceans, particularly small shrimp and crabs, as well as insects, small fish, and mollusks, predominantly acquired by tactile probing in shallow, soft mud.
Scarlet Ibises are highly diurnal and gregarious birds, spending their days foraging in large, often spectacular, flocks and roosting communally in trees at night. Their primary foraging strategy involves tactile probing: they wade through shallow water, immersing their long, decurved bills into ...
The Scarlet Ibis is native to tropical South America and the Caribbean, with its core breeding range extending along the Atlantic coast from southeastern Brazil, north through the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana), and into Venezuela and Colombia. Significant populations also occur on the...
Least Concern
- The Scarlet Ibis derives its astonishing red color from carotenoid pigments found in the crustaceans it eats; without this diet, its plumage would be pale pink or even white. - It is the national bird of Trinidad and Tobago, symbolizing the country's rich biodiversity and natural beauty. - Scar...