The vivid plumage of the scarlet ibis makes it one of the most dramatically beautiful creatures to be seen among the mangroves. It moves in at high tide, along with the herons and kingfishers, and hunts for fishes, frogs and other delicacies in the shallow water beneath the trees. Its long, curved bill is ideal for probing in the soft mud, and it has an acute sense of touch that allows it to locate unseen prey in the turbid water.