Range:

Northern South America, Venezuela to eastern Brazil.

Habitat:

Mud flats, shallow bays.

Characteristics:

Adults are solid bright sarlet except for black ends of 4 outer primaries. The young are a dull, grayish-brown with white underparts. The bill is thin and curved downward. The neck is long and slender. The legs are also long and thin with slightly webbed feet. Tail is short and stubby. The scarlet ibis is a very sociable bird which congregates in large colonies at breeding time. The scarlet ibis will fly in large flocks to hunt and fish for food. It finds its food by rooting around in the mud with its long curved bill at the bottom of river banks and large bodies of water.

 

Behavior:

The scarlet ibis is a very sociable bird which congregates in large colonies at breeding time. The scarlet ibis will fly in large flocks to hunt and fish for food. It finds its food by rooting around in the mud with its long curved bill at the bottom of river banks and large bodies of water.

Reproduction:

Nests in colonies of up to several hundred on dense brush and mangrove-covered islands near river mouths. Incubation lasts for 19 ? 23 days and 3 ? 5 eggs are usually laid. Both parents incubate and care for the young.