ANIMALS

Meet Scarlet Ibis – The Most Appealing Red Bird in Animal World

The color red holds a powerful and commanding presence. Its striking allure never fails to captivate people, regardless of the colors it is juxtaposed with. While the animal kingdom boasts remarkable diversity and beauty, it is rare to encounter creatures adorned in this vibrant hue. However, when we do come across an animal donning a scarlet coat, we cannot help but be astounded by its captivating charm. If you are an animal enthusiast who revels in the splendor of wildlife, brace yourself for an encounter with the Scarlet Ibis, the most resplendent avian marvel gracing the South American skies.

Image source: Takashi Muramatsu

Belonging to the bird family Threskiornithidae, the scarlet ibis, scientifically known as Eudocimus ruber, represents a distinctive species within the ibis group.

Image source: JFP_ Birds

While sharing similarities with the other 27 surviving ibis species, these avian creatures distinguish themselves through their remarkably vivid scarlet coloration.

Image source: Matthew Cackett

Furthermore, the juvenile scarlet ibis displays a combination of gray, brown, and white hues. It is during the second molt, which typically coincides with the fledgling’s ability to take flight, that the transformation towards the iconic scarlet plumage begins. Initially manifesting on the bird’s back, this change progressively extends throughout its entire body, intensifying over a span of approximately two years.

Male scarlet ibises usually have a weight of approximately 1.4 kilograms (3.1 lb), slightly surpassing their female counterparts in size. They measure around 55 to 63 centimeters (22-25 in) in length.

Distinguished among shorebirds, the scarlet ibis is the sole species worldwide to boast vibrant red plumage.

Image source: Stephen Nelson

In its natural habitat, the scarlet ibis typically has a lifespan of approximately sixteen years, while in captivity, it can thrive for up to twenty years. Despite dedicating a significant portion of its time to walking or wading in the water, this avian species possesses remarkable flying abilities, enabling it to undertake long-distance journeys with ease.

To capture the attention of a female, the male scarlet ibis employs an array of mating rituals, including preening, shaking, bill popping, head rubbing, and soaring through high flights.

Image source: Bill Mears

Like many other bird species, mating in scarlet ibises does not involve coupling or insertion. Instead, the transfer of seminal fluids occurs through external contact between the cloacal openings. Following a gestation period of five to six days, the female proceeds to lay three to five eggs with a smooth and matte appearance. These eggs typically undergo an incubation period lasting from 19 to 23 days.

Image source: Pete Martin

ANIMALS

Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons

The Schmidt Ocean Institute recently explored the Ningaloo Canyons on the western coast of Australia using a robotic underwater vehicle called the ROV Sebastian. Check out the amazing video of what they discovered in the deep parts of the Indian Ocean.

More info: Youtube

ANIMALS

These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects

Flying insects move so quickly that they are hard to follow, but new technology and some smart ideas have helped Spanish photographer Xavi Bou do just that. After spending 10 years focusing on birds in flight for his Ornithographies project, he turned his attention to insects.

For Entomographies, he uses high-speed video footage taken by Adrian Smith, an insect expert at North Carolina State University, to study and record how insects move. Bou then picks multiple frames and combines them into single images that show the fast movements of one or more insects through space and time.

With Smith’s help, Bou has captured the aerial tricks of wasps, the jumps of leafhoppers, and the fluttering of butterflies in amazing detail. He hopes that by doing this, he can make people more aware of the decline in important insect populations around the world.

1. Zebra longwing

This butterfly, which is common in many areas of the Americas, really fits its name. It can fly very high with just a few flaps of its large wings.