Bright & Beautiful Scarlet Ibis on Display in the Aviary

(May 2011)

Scarlet Ibis

After 30 years, the Milwaukee County Zoo welcomes the scarlet Ibis back to the Aviary. The Zoo released a male and female into the East Flight Exhibit in early May, with the hope they will eventually mate, and keepers report that they are doing well.

This species is common in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Scarlet Ibises get their red-orange color from eating beta-carotene-rich red crabs and algae, a similar diet to that of flamingoes and Roseate spoonbills.

The birds are not an endangered species, but over-hunting and habitat destruction are growing problems, according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

In addition, a pair of juvenile Ibises is due to be released to the Aviary later this summer. Since they are juvenile, they will not be as easy to spot because they won’t have their defined red-orange color yet, which takes about three years.

Next time you’re visiting, be sure to stop by the Aviary to see the new scarlet Ibises!