Animal Profiles
Birds

Ibis

Threskiornithidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Ibises are wading birds with curved bills. This account describes the scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber), whose brilliant adult plumage stands out above tropical mudflats and mangroves.

Eudocimus ruber (ibis)

Representative species: Eudocimus ruber.

Rafa Esteve · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Habitat
Wetlands, Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Crustaceans and other small aquatic animals.

Classification

Common name
Ibis
Browse group
Birds
Scientific name or taxon
Threskiornithidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Pelecaniformes
Family
Threskiornithidae
Source classification
Aves

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Young birds are much duller than adults.
  • Its curved bill probes mud for food.
  • It commonly feeds and nests in groups.

Habitat and range

Scarlet ibises occupy northern South America, including coastal and interior wetlands. Mudflats, shallow bays and mangrove islands provide feeding areas and nesting sites.

Appearance and adaptations

Adults are vivid red with dark outer wing tips. A long downward-curving bill probes soft substrates. Young birds begin much duller and develop their adult colours gradually.

Diet and behaviour

Crustaceans and other aquatic invertebrates dominate the diet, with small vertebrates also eaten. Birds probe mud or pick prey from exposed surfaces. They travel and nest communally, moving between feeding areas and roosts.

Sources

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