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Scarlet Ibis

Eudocimus ruberOrder: CICONIIFORMESFamily: Ibises (Threskiornithidae)

Scarlet Ibis Portrait_2
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General

Scarlet Ibis: This nervous and wary South American species was introduced in Florida and is unmistakable with its bright scarlet plumage, pink skin on face, pink bill and red legs. Black primaries are seen only in flight. Often breeds with the White Ibis producing various shades of pink offspring. Sexes similar and juvenile has gray head, neck, white underparts with brown upperparts.

Range and Habitat

Scarlet Ibis: South American species introduced in Florida either deliberately or by escaped birds. Prefers shallow marshy areas and cypress swamps as well as inland wetlands, pastures, lawns, and shallow ponds.

Voice Text

"gwe, gwe", "tior, tior"

Interesting Facts

  • The Scarlet Ibis is the national bird of Trinidad and is featured on the Trinidad and Tobago coat of arms along with Tobago's national bird.
  • Their life span is around 15 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity.
  • Their brilliant red plumage comes from pigments in the bodies of crustaceans on which it feeds.
  • A group of ibises has many collective nouns, including a "congregation", "stand", and "wedge" of ibises.


Author

Jane Wright Splitbar
Range Map for Scarlet Ibis
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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.
Family
Species Eudocimus ruber
Length21.5 - 27.5 Inches
Wingspan37 Inches

Scarlet Ibis

Scarlet Ibis: This nervous and wary South American species was introduced in Florida and is unmistakable with its bright scarlet plumage, pink skin on face, pink bill and red legs. Black primaries are seen only in flight. Often breeds with the White Ibis producing various shades of pink offspring.

● Song: "gwe, gwe", "tior, tior"

● Foraging & Feeding: Scarlet Ibis: Eats mainly crustaceans but will also eat fish and other aquatic vertebrates. Probes in shallow water with its large decurved bill.

● Breeding & nesting: Scarlet Ibis: Two to three dull olive-green to buff eggs laid in a frail nest of sticks placed in the fork of branches high in mangrove trees or in shrubs. Will use abandoned nests of herons or egrets.

● Similar species: Scarlet Ibis: White Ibis is similar in shape but white. White Ibis juveniles are similar but Scarlet Ibis juvenile has grayer brown underparts.

Flight Pattern

Flap and glide with rapid wing beats in a straight line.
Scarlet Ibis Body Illustration_2
● Range & Habitat: Scarlet Ibis: South American species introduced in Florida either deliberately or by escaped birds. Prefers shallow marshy areas and cypress swamps as well as inland wetlands, pastures, lawns, and shallow ponds.
BreedingColonial nester
PopulationCasual
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight20.8 Ounces