Facts about Scarlet Ibis
- 09
National birds of both Trinidad and Tobago, scarlet ibises share that honor jointly with the cocrico, appearing on the country's coat of arms.
- 08
A scarlet ibis's lifespan in the wild averages 16 to 20 years, with some individuals documented living over 25 years in protected reserves.
- 07
Bright red plumage in scarlet ibises fades to dull orange or yellowish tones within weeks if carotenoid-rich food becomes unavailable, demonstrating the direct link between diet and coloration.
- 06
Fledgling scarlet ibises remain dependent on their parents for up to eight weeks after leaving the nest, during which time adults regurgitate food directly into their offspring's bills.
- 05
Scarlet ibises produce loud, nasal honking calls that can reach 120 decibels, allowing them to communicate across noisy wetland environments where hundreds of birds feed simultaneously.
- 04
Curved beaks measuring up to 5 inches long enable scarlet ibises to probe deep into mud for small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks in shallow wetlands.
- 03
In Venezuela, Trinidad, and other Caribbean nations, hunting reduced wild scarlet ibis populations to fewer than 100 birds by the 1970s before conservation efforts led to recovery.
- 02
Scarlet ibises nest in colonies of up to 10,000 birds in mangrove swamps across South America, with both parents incubating two eggs for approximately 19 days.
- 01
The scarlet ibis obtains its brilliant red plumage from carotenoid pigments in crustaceans and algae, which comprise approximately 80 percent of its diet.