Scarlet Ibis - Definition

Scarlet Ibis Conservation status: Endangered
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae Subfamily: Threskionithinae Genus: Eudocimus Species: ruber
Binomial name
Eudocimus ruber Linnaeus, 1758
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.