Question

What clues suggest that the appearance of the bird might be important? in the scarlet ibis

Answer 1

The title itself is "The Scarlet Ibis," and scarlet is a shade of red. The ibis perches in the bleeding tree, which reminds readers of the color red as well. When Doodle dies, his blood stains his skin and his shirt red.

When Doodle dies, his brother stands over his body... The scarlet ibis represents in more ways than one. The scarlet ibis is small and fragile like Doodle, but more importantly the scarlet ibis is out of place in their yard. The scarlet ibis is not indigenous to Doodle's neighborhood, it's as if the bird is lost.