The scarlet ibis ('Eudocimus ruber') is a species of ibis in the bird family of Threskiornithidae. It inhabits tropical South America, its remarkably brilliant scarlet coloration makes it unmistakable. It is one of the two national birds of Trinidad and Tobago.

Adult plumage is virtually all scarlet. The feathers may show various tints and shades, but only the tips of their wings deviate from their namesake color. A small but reliable marking, these wingtips are a rich inky black and are found only on the longest primaries otherwise the birds' coloration is "a vivid orange-red, almost luminous in quality." They have red bills and feet however the bill is sometimes blackish, especially toward the end. They have a long, narrow, decurved bill. Their legs and neck are long and extended in flight.

Adults are 55–63 centimetres (22–25 in) long, and the males, slightly larger than females, typically weigh about 1.4 kilograms (3.1 lb). Their bills are also on average around 22% longer than those of females. The life span of the scarlet ibis is approximately sixteen years in the wild and twenty years in captivity. An adult scarlet ibis has a wingspan of around 54 centimetres (21 in). Though it spends most of its time on foot or wading through water, the bird is a very strong flyer.

Their distinctive long, thin bills are used to probe for food in soft mud or under plants. Their diet consists of insects, of which the majority were scarabs and ground beetles as well as shrimp.

More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org