Scarlet Ibis

Overview
Scarlet Ibis: This nervous and wary South American species was introduced in Florida and is unmistakable with its bright scarlet plumage, pink skin on face, pink bill and red legs. Black primaries are seen only in flight. Often breeds with the White Ibis producing various shades of pink offspring.

Range and Habitat
Scarlet Ibis: South American species introduced in Florida either deliberately or by escaped birds. Prefers shallow marshy areas and cypress swamps as well as inland wetlands, pastures, lawns, and shallow ponds.

The Scarlet Ibis has a large range, estimated globally at 820,000 square kilometers. Native to Brazil, Argentina, Suriname, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Netherlands Antilles, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago, this bird prefers forest or wetland ecosystems. The global population of this bird is estimated at 100,000 to 150,000 individuals and does not show signs of decline that would necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. For this reason, the current evaluation status of the Scarlet Ibis is Least Concern.

INTERESTING FACTS
The Scarlet Ibis is the national bird of Trinidad and is featured on the Trinidad and Tobago coat of arms along with Tobago's national bird. Their brilliant red plumage comes from pigments in the bodies of crustaceans on which it feeds. Their life span is around 15 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity. A group of ibises has many collective nouns, including a "congregation", "stand", and "wedge" of ibises.