Is that bird sun burnt on Sanibel? No, it's a Scarlet Ibis

While most of our residents and guests on Sanibel know the pink colored bird with the scooped bill is a roseate spoonbill, there is another brightly colored bird rarely seen.


The Scarlet Ibis, another wading bird, makes a visit to Sanibel infrequently. But when it does, its presence is indeed noted. The brilliant red of so long legged and curved bill a bird is easy to spot, and the Scarlet Ibis will "hang out" with our native glossy or white Ibis making its appearance even more remarkable in the contrast.


But while the glossy variety is native to this area, the most important message about the scarlet ibis is that is an exotic, a special species of Central America and northern South America. It's like looking out the window and seeing a macaw or a monkey or any of the other notable escapees we tend to find here in Florida.

Since there has been no record of South American birds migrating to North America, the fact that the exotic bird has been seen in the Florida wilderness is a very uncommon sight.

Sources say the scarlet ibis has a body length of roughly 22 to 24 inches and has a long neck, long curved probing bill, black tipped feathers, and perching feet that are only slightly webbed. It is known to feed on insects, fish, meat, seeds, and fruits. Most of the wading birds are fairly long-lived birds.



Experts are confident that there is more than one scarlet ibis out there, especially since it's most likely from a released flock whether from a Hurricane or someone's personal collection.