The Scarlet Ibis is a truly magnificent bird that has been described with a range of adjectives, from beautiful orange-red to brilliant scarlet. Regardless of the exact wording used to describe its color, there is no denying that this bird is easily recognizable thanks to its stunning appearance.

Charles Patrick Ewing’s work titled “Scarlet Ibis” is under the CC BY 2.0 license. The bird species Eudocimus ruber belongs to the Threskiornithidae family of ibises. The plumage of adult males and females is primarily scarlet, with variations in shades only on the feathers. The only deviation from this color is seen on the wingtips, which are a deep black. The birds have red bills and feet, although the bill may sometimes appear blackish. During flight, the long necks and legs of the scarlet ibis are extended.

The photo credit goes to DickDaniels. These birds have a similar color pattern between genders, but males are larger and have a 22% longer beak than females. When they are young, they are a combination of white, grey, and brown colors, but their diet of red crustaceans gives them their distinctive scarlet color.

The Scarlet Ibis is a bird that travels between different regions and may sometimes end up in unexpected places. Its range spans from South America to the Caribbean islands, including Brazil, Colombia, French Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, the Netherlands Antilles, and Trinidad and Tobago. This beautiful bird is known for its vibrant red plumage and can be seen in flocks throughout these areas.

The wetlands and marshy areas, including shorelines and rainforests, are popular hangout spots for flocks of Scarlet Ibis. These beautiful birds satisfy their hunger by munching on insects, especially scarab beetles which make up most of their diet. Additionally, they also indulge in crustaceans like shrimps, crabs, and mollusks. A sight to behold, these birds bring color and life to their surroundings. Photo credit goes to Fernando Flores under the CC BY 2.0 license.

The bird depicted in the photo, which is credited to Dennis Jarvis and licensed under CC BY 2.0, enjoys a protected status globally, resulting in its classification as “least concern” on the IUCN Red List.

Mike’s Birds, CC BY-SA 4.0, has provided us with a stunning picture of the Scarlet Ibis – a bird that holds the honor of being one of Trinidad and Tobago’s national birds.