Scientist went in search of 'Nature's most decorated Christmas tree' but he still was not ready for it

Phil Torres (@phil_torres), a biologist from Seattle, WA, took his family out on a boat to witness "Nature's most decorated Christmas tree" while shooting in Trinidad for the TV show "Expedition X" on Discovery. But what they saw was beyond something human eyes could comprehend. Torres took to his Instagram account to share a sneak peek of his encounter with hundreds of Scarlet ibis (scientific name: Eudocimus ruber), and how they make up the most beautiful Christmas tree the world has ever seen. He posted the video (589k views) on Tuesday, December 22.

After a long journey through the Caroni Swamp, a vast mangrove wetland near Port of Spain, he found that scarlet ibis, the national bird of Trinidad and Tobago, flew in just before dusk to sit on the mangrove trees. These birds, symbolizing beauty and resilience, appear as decorations on the green mangroves. Scarlet ibis gather in huge numbers as the sun sets to roost on top of the trees, and their vibrant scarlet red color makes the tops of the mangroves look red, just like any other Christmas tree. Interestingly, Torres said the birds gather primarily during the dry season, coinciding with the holiday time, in search of food. "Dreamy Christmas decorations of biology, timing, and copious amounts of red feathers," he wrote.

There are 29 species of ibises in the Threskiornithidae family, but the scarlet ibis is the most famous for their intense color that'll instantly make you fall in love. The "ornaments" of nature's Christmas tree, as Torres called them, are found in the coastlines of Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil, where mangrove trees grow. The scarlet ibis not only adds to the beauty of Trinidad but is also beneficial to the ecosystems. They feed on different animals around the mangrove roots, regulating prey populations, according to One Earth. Moreover, these birds move to places near freshwater in search of food. This explains that they can live in different habitats and thus help in managing multiple ecosystems through their foraging and nesting behaviors.

The enchanting sight of nature's most beautiful Christmas tree left netizens in awe, and those who've had the opportunity to witness it personally shared their experiences as well. For example, @ria.mg.mohammed wrote, "This place is magical. Everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime." @sarahnw84 wrote, "Thank you so much for sharing this! I feel like I've watched hundreds of wildlife documentaries, but I really don't remember ever learning about these birds. I bet it was an amazing experience!"

Similarly, @malawebber said, "This is the Caroni Swamp in Trinidad, and it really is just as beautiful as it looks. Absolutely worth a visit. Along the way, you’ll see some incredible wildlife, including caiman and boas, and the mangroves are stunning. It’s Trinidad and Tobago’s largest mangrove wetland and really a must-do if you’re visiting.  Take a bottle of wine, sit back, and enjoy the boat ride." @gigicastillo811 wrote, "Thank you for this heavenly beauty at Christmas. With all of the negativity and hatred going on in our world, it is truly inspiring and beautiful. Your family is very special. Your posts bring me joy."

You can follow Phil Torres (@phil_torres) on Instagram for more nature-related content.

More on Scoop Upworthy

Biologist starts crying after finding flower he had been searching for 13 years

There's a sustainable solution to the real vs. artificial tree dilemma: Christmas tree rentals

Company helps rent the same Christmas tree till it 'retires' and then plants it in a forest for good