The scarlet ibis is a bird which is bright red. The adult scarlet ibis measures about 55-63cm (21.7-24.8in). The male is typically slightly larger than the females. These males will weigh about 1.4kg (3.1lbs). The scarlet ibis has a wingspan which typically measures 54 cm (21.3in). Only the wing tip deviates from the characteristic scarlet color. These tips are black. Juveniles display a mix of greys, whites and blacks across their body. Like most wading birds they have long legs and a long neck. Their red color is unlike any other shorebird in the world. During the second molt the bird begins to change from the blacks and greys to red. This progresses out from the back over a period of 2 years. The red color comes from their diet being heavily focused on red crustaceans.