Scarlet Ibis

Identification

The scarlet ibis is unmistakable among wading birds, being the only one in the world with predominantly red plumage. Adults are virtually all vivid orange-red, almost luminous in quality, with only the wingtips deviating—these show rich inky black or occasionally dark blue on the longest primary feathers. The bird has a long, narrow, decurved bill that is typically red, though sometimes blackish toward the tip, along with red feet. Adults measure 55–63 centimetres in length with a wingspan around 54 centimetres, with males slightly larger than females and sporting bills approximately 22% longer. Juveniles are strikingly different, displaying a mix of grey, brown, and white plumage. The vibrant scarlet coloration develops gradually from a diet of red crustaceans, beginning with the second moult around the time of first flight and intensifying over about two years, starting on the back and spreading across the body.