The Scarlet Ibis is easily recognized by its brilliant colouration. It is a medium sized wading bird with a length of 55 – 63 cm (22 – 25 in). They are native to a large range in South America and islands of the Caribbean.

Their colour comes from the shrimp which they eat. They also eat insects, small crabs, mollusks and other small vertebrates. They are the only shorebird in the world that is red.

Scarlet Ibis are gregarious birds and sometimes gather in flocks of thousands. They will mix with other species such as storks and spoonbills. They nest in trees close to one another.

Fun Facts

They begin to get red colouration after their second molt and are totally red after 2 years.