Scarlet Ibis

Eudocimus Ruber

Scientific Name

Scarlet Ibis:  
Eudocimus Ruber

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

Scarlet ibis’s inhabit Central America down to the northern part of South America. They are also found through coastal Brazil to northern Venezuela, Columbia and eastern Ecuador.

Natural Habitat

These beautifully colored birds may be found in mangrove swamps, lagoons, wetlands and mudflats, any tropical region or rainforest.

Physical Characteristics

  • Scarlet ibises are one of the most striking sights in the world of birds. Their coloration is bright red in both sexes, with a long neck, a long curved probing bill, black tipped feathers and perching feet that are only slightly webbed.  The uniformly bright red plumage intensifies as the birds get older.  As with flamingos, the brilliant red color of the bird comes from pigments in the bodies of crustaceans on which it feeds. They feed and nest in large groups.  Their body length is 22-24 inches and they weigh approximately two pounds.

Quick Facts

  1. The scarlet ibis is the national bird of Trinidad.

  2. Baby ibis are born featherless and then slowly turn red as they age.

  3. Both parents participate in nest building as well as caring for the young.

Exhibit

M&T Bank Rainforest Falls

Conservation Status

Least Concern: The Scarlet Ibis is common or abundant and is likely to survive in the wild.

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Diet

Omnivore

This ibis hunts frogs, fish, newts, insects, crabs and other invertebrates, seeds and fruits. They forage in both saltwater and freshwater.