- Origin: Central America, South America
- Class: Birds
- Order: Ciconiiformes
- Family: Threskiornithidés
This sociable bird lives in large colonies in mangroves, lagoons and coastal marshes. It moves between different habitats according to the season or the abundance of food. Using its long, downturned beak, it searches the mud for small fish, crabs, insect larvae and molluscs, which it then feeds on. Its red colour is due to the carotenoids (pigments) present in the prawns and crabs it eats.
Breeding takes place during the rainy season. Nests are often built close together in large colonies in mangrove swamps, usually on mangrove trees. The female generally lays 4 eggs, which are incubated for 3 weeks. The young are independent at 11 weeks.
IUCN Status : least concern (Appendix III)