Create Behavioral Enrichment

Scarlet Ibis Background Information

The scarlet ibis inhabits tropical South America and islands of the Caribbean. It resembles most of the other twenty- seven species of ibis, but its remarkably brilliant scarlet coloration makes it unmistakable. Males and females differ in size; the male is larger and has a longer bill.

Named for its distinctive red plumage, the scarlet ibis gets its pink, orange, and reddish color from the rich source of pigments in the algae and small crustaceans it eats. Its legs and feet are also pink, and an adult scarlet ibis has dark blue tips on four of their outer primary feathers.

The long, thin bill of an ibis is perfect for probing in water or mud, or even in cracks in dry ground, in its search for food. The ibis uses its bill to feel around for tasty items such as grasshoppers, beetles, worms, crustaceans, fish, and carrion. Sensitive feelers on the inside of the beak help the ibis identify food before it even sees it.

 Scientific name: Eudocimus ruber  Length: 2.2 ft.  Weight: 1.4 lbs (Adult)  Conservation status: Least Concern (Population decreasing)

Watch this video to see how zookeepers use enrichment:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu3KN7529UE&feature=emb_title

Your Mission: One reason zoos and aquariums provide enrichment is to encourage animals to express their natural behaviors, like hunting for food or running and jumping. In this activity, you are going to be a scarlet ibis keeper. Your mission is to create an enrichment device that will encourage the bird to forage for its food. You must create your enrichment from the following materials:  A paper towel or toilet paper cardboard tube  Shredded paper, and  Five rubber bands to represent the worms that are the ibis' food  Chopsticks (these are your bird's beak)

Remember, what you create must be safe for the bird and not include anything in which it could get trapped or tangled. Also, remember, you must contain the worms (rubber bands), so they don't escape, but ibis must still be able to retrieve them. Good luck! We look forward to seeing what you designed tomorrow morning.