Scarlet Ibis

The scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) is a brightly colored wading bird native to the wetlands of South America, particularly Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and the Caribbean. It is famous for the brilliant red plumage of adults, while juveniles have brown plumage that gradually turns red as they age. This distinctive color is due to their diet rich in carotenoids, mainly from crustaceans.

The scarlet ibis lives in colonies, often in the company of other species of waterfowl. It frequents mangroves, marshes, and estuaries, where it feeds on small aquatic invertebrates such as crabs, mollusks, insects, and fish. Like the white ibis, it uses its long curved beak to root through the mud in search of prey.

The scarlet ibis is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with relatively stable populations overall. However, habitat destruction, particularly of mangroves, and pollution pose potential threats to the species in certain regions.

Fine art print on Hahnemühle Rag Baryta 315g paper - Limited edition of 30 copies, across all sizes and media.