Scarlet Ibis 

Eudocimus ruber 

• RANGE: Scarlet ibis are native to the coast of northern South America down to Brazil. 
• HABITAT: They are found in wetlands, swamps, shorelines, and shallow lakes. 
• DIET: Their diet is made up of small fish, crustaceans, insects, mollusks, and frogs. 
• SIZE: Scarlet ibis are about 30 inches from tip of bill to end of tail and have a 12-inch wingspan. 
• LOCATION IN ZOO: Tropical Rainforest 

• CONSERVATION STATUS: Scarlet ibis are classified as Least Concern but their populations are suspected to be declining due to habitat destruction. 

Blue and Yellow Macaw
Ara ararauna

• RANGE: Blue-and-yellow macaw are native to eastern Panama through northern South America. 
• HABITAT: They are found in tropical forests and savannas. 
• DIET: Their diet is a mix of nuts, fruit, seeds, and berries. 

• SIZE: Blue-and-yellow macaw are about 36 inches from head to tip of tail and have a wingspan of approximately 43 inches. They typically weigh about 2 pounds. 
• LOCATION IN ZOO: Tropical Rainforest 
• CONSERVATION STATUS: Blue-and-yellow macaw are classified as Least Concern. 

A distinctive mustache makes this tern stand out.

Inca terns sport long facial feathers, which sets them apart from other terns and their close cousins, the gulls. Healthier birds usually have the longest mustaches. The white mustache, as well as the red beak and legs, don’t fully develop until the bird is 1-2 years old.

Their dapper colors led to a unique nickname. 

In the country of Chile, the Inca tern is called “moña”, meaning “nun”. This name comes from the bird’s black color and sweeping white mustache, which resemble the clothing of a nun.

A salty sneeze keeps these birds balanced.

Spending much of their time flying and feeding over the ocean, Inca terns take in a lot of salt. Too much salt can harm the tern. Glands inside their nostrils push out extra salt, keeping terns healthy.