Scientific name: Eudocimus ruber
Conservation status: Least Concern
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Size: Wingspan 36–56 inches (90–140 cm)
Weight: 1.8–2.7 pounds (0.8–1.2 kg)
Diet: Insects, worms, fish, crustaceans, and plant material
Habitat: Mangrove forests, swamps, marshes, and coastal areas
Range: South America, Central America, and the Caribbean
Physical features: Bright scarlet feathers covering most of the body, black wing tips, a long pointed black beak with a yellow tip, long black or dark red legs, and a long black or dark red tail.
Scarlet ibises are gregarious, vocal birds that live in large flocks. They are opportunistic feeders, probing mudflats and shallow water for food. They are territorial, nest in trees or shrubs, and lay two or three eggs per clutch. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 28 days. The species helps control insect populations and disperse seeds.