Scarlet Ibis
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| Scarlet Ibis Conservation status: Endangered | ||||||||||||||||
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| Missing image Eudocimus_ruber_-_Scharlachsichler_-_Scarlet_Ibis.jpg Scarlet Ibis | ||||||||||||||||
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| Eudocimus ruber Linnaeus, 1758 | ||||||||||||||||
| Missing image Scarlet_Ibis_range_map.png Scarlet Ibis range |
The Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a species of ibis that occurs in tropical South America and Trinidad and Tobago. It is the national bird of Trinidad and Tobago and is featured on their coat of arms along with the Rufous-vented Chachalaca. Introduced or escaped birds of this species also occur in southern Florida.
Adults are 56-61 cm long and weigh 650g. They are completely scarlet, except for black wing-tips. They nest in trees, laying two to four eggs. Their diet includes crustaceans and similar small marine animals.
This species is very closely related to the American White Ibis and is sometimes considered conspecific with it.
References
- Linblad, Jan. 1966. Journey to red birds. Trans. by Gwynne Vevers. Reprint: Collins, London. 1969.
- Zahl, Paul A. 1954. Coro-Coro: The World of the Scarlet Ibis. Bobbs-Merrill, Indianapolis / New York.