No matter how you choose to describe it, whether as a beautiful red or a brilliant scarlet, this bird is undeniably striking in its appearance, leaving no room for confusion.
The scarlet ibis, belonging to the Threskiornithidae bird family, is characterized by its vibrant scarlet plumage, which is consistent in both male and female adults. While the feathers may exhibit slight variations in shade, it is only the wingtips that deviate from this color, appearing as a deep, inky black. These birds possess red bills and feet, although the bill may occasionally have a hint of black. With elongated necks and legs, both of which are extended during flight, the scarlet ibis showcases its graceful presence in the avian realm.
In terms of coloration, there is remarkable similarity between males and females, with the primary distinction lying in their respective sizes. The males are larger, exhibiting a size advantage, and their beaks are approximately 22% longer compared to those of the females.
Juveniles are a mix of white, grey, and brown colors, gaining their scarlet color from a diet of red crustaceans.
A migratory bird, sometimes a vagrant bird, the Scarlet Ibis has a vast range from South America to the Caribbean islands. Flocks are found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. They can also be found in the Netherlands Antilles and Trinidad and Tobago.
Flocks of Scarlet Ibis gather in wetlands and other marshy areas, including shorelines and rainforest areas. There they eat mainly insects, in particular scarab beetles which form the major part of their diet. Though they do eat crustaceans such as shrimps, also crabs, and mollusks.
Breeding adults have black bills, mating pairs build nests made from loose platforms of sticks, mostly built in trees well above the waterline. Where possible they are built on islands away from the danger of predation. The female lays a clutch of three to five eggs which she incubates for 19-23 days. Pairs remain together, sharing parental responsibilities while raising their young.
This species has protected status throughout the world. This has helped the bird gain the status as of least concern on the IUCN Red List.
The Scarlet Ibis is one of the national birds of Trinidad and Tobago
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