Scarlet ibis juvenile at Paignton Zoo, Devon
Class: Birds
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Threskiornithidae
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Threskiornithidae
Native to the northern coast of South America and parts of the Caribbean, the scarlet ibis inhabits wetlands and other marshy habitats.
In the wild they feed on small aquatic animals, fish, insects, molluscs and crustaceans.
Conservation
The scarlet ibis is currently listed as being of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Despite this, wild populations are slowly declining, due to habitat degradation, overhunting and the collection of eggs by humans. The scarlet ibis does have protected status throughout the world.