Washington Jones and Carlos Calimares revised the account as part of a partnership with Aves Uruguay. Arnau Bonan Barfull curated the media. JoAnn Hackos, Daphne R. Walmer, Robin K. Murie, and Linda A. Hensley copyedited the account.
Birds With Red Legs and Feet A Vibrant Group of Avian Species
Birds come in a spectacular array of colors and patterns, but those with red legs and feet really stand out. The bright red pigmentation on their lower extremities makes these birds eye-catching and unique.
Spotting vibrant red legs on an otherwise nondescript bird immediately draws our attention. We wonder why these avian species developed such flashy legs and feet. Do they serve a purpose beyond aesthetics?
Indeed scientists believe the red coloring found on the legs and feet of certain birds plays an important role. Let’s explore some of the most common red-legged bird species and why they sport such flashy feet
Scarlet Ibis
The scarlet ibis is perhaps the most famously red-legged bird. Every part of the adult scarlet ibis emanates a brilliant red hue, from its legs and feet to the tip of its curved bill. Even its eyes glow red.
The ibis’ red coloration comes from its diet of carotenoid-rich crustaceans, which it forages for in shallow waters along the coasts of South America and the Caribbean islands. Adolescent birds are born with gray plumage, which gradually changes to scarlet as they reach maturity.
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Another tropical stunner, the red-legged honeycreeper lives in Central America and northern South America. It’seasy to see how this species got its name – with its vivid red legs and feet and two-toned plumage, it’s a real head-turner.
The males display deep indigo upperparts and wings contrasting with a bright sky-blue cap, nape, and throat. Females have more subtle olive-green upperparts and paler underparts. Both sexes brandish vibrant red legs, perfect for hopping between branches while foraging.
American Flamingo
No discussion of red-legged birds would be complete without mentioning the iconic American flamingo. Found in the Caribbean region, Yucatán Peninsula, and Galápagos Islands, these spindly pink birds are famous for their outrageously long legs and S-shaped necks.
American flamingos display such a strong red pigmentation across their bodies thanks to their diet of carotenoid-containing algae and brine shrimp. Their oddly-shaped bill is perfectly adapted for filter feeding in the saline lakes they inhabit.
While their pink feathers may draw more attention, look closely and you’ll see their red legs are equally pigmented. Special scales on their legs help diffuse heat, an adaptation to spending much of their time standing in tropical waters.
Egyptian Goose
Widespread across Africa south of the Sahara desert, the Egyptian goose sports distinctive plumage of gray and chestnut ornamented with iridescent green wing feathers. Its namesake red legs provide an eye-catching accent.
Unlike many wetland birds, the Egyptian goose prefers dry open grasslands. It builds a lined nest on the ground concealed by thick vegetation. Parents share incubation duties, and goslings learn to forage on land from a very young age.
Adults eat a varied diet of grasses, seeds, leaves, fruit, insects, worms, small reptiles, and more. Their red legs help them run swiftly across the ground to catch prey or avoid danger.
Pigeon Guillemot
An auk found along the rocky coasts of the North Pacific, the pigeon guillemot exhibits striking black and white plumage. Its bright red legs and feet stand out against the dark water as it floats before a dive.
This seabird nests in small colonies on cliff ledges and feeds predominantly on fish and marine invertebrates like crabs, urchins, and worms. Using its sharply-pointed bill, the guillemot catches prey by diving underwater and swimming to depths of 30-50 feet.
The guillemot’s red legs help it grip slippery rocks along the shoreline and provide camouflage when floating amidst red seaweed below the surface. Its vibrant coloration serves as a visual signal to other guillemots during breeding.
Whether they inhabit the coast, grasslands, or rainforest canopy, birds with red legs form a special group within the diverse avian family. Their scarlet lower limbs play roles in camouflage, heat diffusion, visual signaling, and more.
The next time you spot a flash of red while birdwatching, take a closer look – it just might be a vibrant bird like the scarlet ibis or Egyptian goose sporting its bright red legs and feet with pride. This eye-catching coloration provides both form and function in the daily lives of these unique bird species.
Language (en)
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| Language | Common name |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian | Голяма кариама |
| Catalan | sarià crestat |
| Croatian | velika karijama |
| Czech | seriema rudozobá |
| Dutch | Kuifseriema |
| English | Red-legged Seriema |
| English (United States) | Red-legged Seriema |
| Estonian | tuttserieema |
| Finnish | töyhtökäärmekurki |
| French | Cariama huppé |
| French (Canada) | Cariama huppé |
| German | Rotfußseriema |
| Japanese | アカノガンモドキ |
| Norwegian | rødbeinseriema |
| Polish | kariama czerwononoga |
| Portuguese (Brazil) | seriema |
| Portuguese (Portugal) | Seriema |
| Russian | Хохлатая кариама |
| Serbian | Crvenonoga serijema |
| Slovak | kariama červenozobá |
| Spanish | Chuña Patirroja |
| Spanish (Argentina) | Chuña Patas Rojas |
| Spanish (Paraguay) | Saría patas rojas |
| Spanish (Spain) | Chuña patirroja |
| Spanish (Uruguay) | Seriema |
| Swedish | rödbent seriema |
| Turkish | Tepeli Kariyama |
| Ukrainian | Каріама червононога |
Washington Jones and Carlos Calimares revised the account as part of a partnership with Aves Uruguay. Arnau Bonan Barfull curated the media. JoAnn Hackos, Daphne R. Walmer, Robin K. Murie, and Linda A. Hensley copyedited the account.
The Key to Scientific Names
“Se parexe a los páxaros de ribera en las zancas, pies y uñas, y aun en la figura total del cuerpo; y el pico es gallináceo, el porte y cuello de Ñandú, la pestaña muy peluda, el ojo muy grande. Sin embargo á nadie se parece.” – Félix de Azara (Apuntamientos para la historia natural de los páxaros del Paraguay y Río de la Plata, 1802–1805).
[“It resembles wader birds in its legs, feet, and claws, and even in the total figure of the body; and the beak is chicken-like, the posture and neck of a Rhea, the eyelash very hairy, the eye very large. However, it looks like no one else.”]
The Red-legged Seriema is a striking, easily recognizable bird of open woodland, thorny scrub, and hilly grassland. Its large size, bright red bill, long bright red legs, and prominent loose crest make it a visually distinctive species. This bird is a capable predator and opportunistic feeder with a varied diet, taking a wide range of foods, including arthropods, lizards, snakes, small rodents, eggs, corn and other grains, and wild fruit. One of its most fascinating features is its characteristic method of dealing with vertebrate prey. The prey is grabbed with the bill, killed by violent shaking and beating on the substrate, and subsequently torn into pieces and consumed. The species is also well-known for its barking song, performed in duets by pairs of birds in the early morning. Breeding times for this species vary by region: birds in northeast Brazil breed February–July, while those in central Brazil breed November–December. Some populations have local movements, but overall, the species is sedentary and has no distinct migratory pattern. The Red-legged Seriema is widespread but uncommon throughout its range. In some places, it is hunted for meat.
Close-up with a Red-legged Honeycreeper & Thick-billed Euphonia | April 6 2025 | Cornell Lab
FAQ
What are the white birds with red legs?
White Ibises stand out in the crowd with their reddish pink legs and bills. White Ibises tend to move around in large groups depending on water depth, so look for shallow wetlands or flooded fields to find foraging birds.
What is the name of red leg bird?
Red Legged Partridge Bird Facts | Alectoris Rufa.
Why do birds have red feet?
When their feet are red, it usually means they have a fever — one over and above their already very high normal temperature – which means they are trying to produce more white cells to protect their system. It also usually means their body is trying to fend off something that is attacking from within.
What is a black sea bird with red legs?
In summer, the black guillemot is black all over, with a large, white oval patch on each wing. In winter, it turns white, with black barring on its back, and black wings. It has bright red legs and a red gape.
What birds have red feet?
North America is filled with many wonderful birds with red feet – in fact, there are 14 birds that you can spot with red feet. Have you spotted a bird with red feet that you’re looking to identify? Look no further than this article. 1. Northern Cardinal 2. Red-footed Booby 3. Red-footed Falcon 4. Roseate Spoonbill 5. American White Ibis 6.
Why do birds have red legs and feet?
Birds with red legs and feet stand out when flying or walking. Their red legs may be an adaptation to attract the attention of their species when breeding or the result of diet-based pigmentation. Small and large birds of the world come with various shades of red legs.
Do all birds have red legs?
Small and large birds of the world come with various shades of red legs. While not all birds have red legs, those that do tend to stand out to humans as they often have contrasting plumage. Some birds with red legs are native to North America. Others aren’t even visible to humans as they live in remote areas such as in the case of The Arctic Tern.
What kind of bird has a red beak?
ʻIʻiwi A red beak, red legs, and a red body are characteristic of an iconic Hawaiian bird, The ‘I’iwi (Drepanis coccinea). This species is only found in the forests at high elevations on the main Hawaiian Islands. ‘I’iwi is only seen at elevations of over 4.000 feet.
What does a red bird look like?
Red birds come in various types, but one common feature is their mostly dark red heads with black areas around the eyes. The underbelly is bright red and shows white spots, as do the wings. Females have a mostly yellow appearance with gray wings and a similar pale red beak and a black mask similar to males.
What is a red footed booby bird?
Red-footed Booby birds (Sula sula) are named after their red feet. A vivid red color is specific to these large birds. Mostly found in tropical areas, Red-footed Booby is a bird that prefers small islands and coastal areas. With a known ability to fly, these birds may struggle to walk due to their large size.