Zoo database

Scarlet ibis

Eudocimus ruber

Natural diet Scarlet ibis

Scarlet ibises are carnivorous birds that mainly feed on insects, such as scarabs and ground beetles. They feed in shallow water, and therefore feed on crustaceans, shellfish and mollusks.

Fish
Fish
Insects
Insects
Invertebrates / crustaceans
Invertebrates / crustaceans

Feeding advice Scarlet ibis

Feed quantity per day

6-10%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 1,4 kg and eats 8% of its body weight, it will get
 
1,4 x 0,08 = 0,11 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

5% Insects and other invertebrates
95% Concentrates

Proportions (fresh product)

0,05 x 0,11 kg = 6 g insects and other invertebrates
0,95 x 0,11 kg = 106 g concentrates

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Ibis pellets
Variety of insects
Variety of fish (breeding season)

Not recommended

Bread

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
  • During the breeding season food should be offered ad libitum and contain 20% fish instead of concentrates.
  • Small fish can be offered whole, but larger fish should be cut into smaller pieces.
  • Avoid feeding bread as the high starch content may cause gastro-intestinal disturbances.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by using feeding puzzles and scatter feeding (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).