I remember a time when the Australian White Ibis wasn't seen in Sydney.
Then they appeared in the CBD.
Now, they are everywhere.
Like most people, I haven't been a great fan of them. Being quite large birds, they do large poops which always looks really messy and uninviting. They also scavange in bins for food so they make a mess that way as well. They also just look ugly and pre-historic because of their bald heads and necks.
At some point I found out that they migrated to the city because of habitat loss in their natural range and while I still find them messy, I had to admire their resourcefulness and survival instinct.
There is a theory that a liberty flock at Taronga Zoo mixed with some birds who had migrated to the city during drought and encouraged the refugees to stay, as explained in Wikipedia
"The relationship between birds originating from the Taronga flock and any influx of inland birds into Sydney is poorly known, but it is speculated that human-habituated flocks originating from the zoo may have encouraged some visiting flocks to stay in Sydney, with the two populations likely merging to some degree. Resident Sydney birds may have influenced newcomers fleeing from inland drought to adapt to new food sources in the city and to accept close proximity to humans."
These ibis would naturally live in marsh areas and build rafts of sticks for their nests. In the city they build in palm trees (and maybe other places but palm trees are where I see them)
This leads me to reflect on the certainty that their poo would be less messy if it was on a floating stick raft instead of falling from the height of a palm tree.
Today I was driving past a construction site where there was a large, muddy puddle and I noticed four ibis trying to forage in the puddle. There were not going to be any fish or frogs or anything edible at all in the puddle and I was hit by a wave of sadness to see them engaged in the intuitive behaviour of thousands of years with no possible benefit.
Wading in a muddy puddle and nesting in a tree is such a watered down version of raising their young in a marsh, fishing around the colony and wading in the diverse plants, birds and insects of a marsh. I still can't say I love them but their image problem is really because they are in the wrong environment, not bbecause they are inherently unattractive. They really do deserve to be able to live their natural lifestyle.
The zoo theory doesn't explain how they appeared in Melbourne, unless the same thing happened with our zoo. I see them flying past all the time. I think they travel between Albert Park and the Botanic Gardens. I saw my first one in Melbourne about twenty years ago, then I didn't see another until about five years ago flying past. The are usually in small groups, perhaps five birds. I think it's a combination of habitat loss and easy pickings in the city.
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good point about them showing up in Melbourne.
DeleteEasy pickings is a good theory, too.
They may be quite large birds but there doesn't seem to be a lot of space for a brain.
ReplyDeleteBut not ugly!
The lacy tail feathers are pretty!
DeleteSome of these critters get a lot of bad press.
ReplyDeleteI really felt sorry for them today. They don't deserve the bad press
DeleteInteresting post Kylie. I was reading today about habitat loss in the outer LA area in the states and the homeowners have adapted to sharing their gardens and swimming pools with BEARS of all things. The bears get their turns in the swimming pool and frolic in the gardens. Astonishing. Your Ibis story made me quite sad. These poor creatures. I find them attractive in your pic. But I expect the reality is different.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Maybe the ibis are nicer than I think. They also look better if they are clean, which would be easier if they were around water.
DeleteBears in LA. I love the idea of local bears frolicking but it comes with a bunch of problems.
I'm glad you found it interesting
I am not a fan of Ibis in the cities either, nor the zillions of pigeons. I never thought about where they make their nests.
ReplyDeletePigeons are messy, aren't they. Its not their fault, either
DeleteThose poor famished creatures hunting for food in a muddy building site ...
ReplyDeleteA surprising post, Kylie. Truth takes us by surprise, and the shock of seeing hunger.
Am I your only reader who finds the ibis attractive ? I'd like to draw one if it sat long enough for me.
In October I'm going to see my sister and brother in London.
Ian lives in West Croydon ; not much wildlife in Croydon, many fine people.
Joan lives in Putney not far from the Wetland Centre of which she's a member.
The Wetland covers 105 acres. Australian pelicans, flamingos, herons, egrets.
Sightings of the ibis are uncommon and treated as a special event.
The birds suffered during our prolonged heatwave (nothing like Australia's !) but the staff are dedicated.
Hi Jack,
DeleteI think they are quite good at finding food in rubbish bins but it would be much harder for them to find places to wade, ,hence the wading in a miserable, lifeless puddle.
Climate events impact the animals terribly, there is no retreat for them.
I hope you have a wonderful time with the siblings. I had a lovely visit to a wetland a few years ago, they are very cool places.
https://kylie-sonja.blogspot.com/2022/10/hunter-wetlands.html
Your story made me sad, too. The world is just so depressing.
ReplyDeleteSx
Hi Scarlet,
DeleteSome days i find it worse than others but there's a lot to be depressed about on any day.
It's good that the Australian White Ibis is still around and hasn't disappeared like so many species.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Nick. The species which can adapt to urban settings do very well: foxes, brushtail possums and Australian White Ibis have all done well.
DeleteI remember first seeing ibis as in the CBD arly 90s. It's spectacular seeing big birds like that in an urban environment. Over the years the novelty has worn off and when their numbers get up they can be a nuisance. I still like to see them, maybe just not too close to home.
ReplyDeleteI had a funny experience with a wonderful parking spot when visiting someone in Concord Hospital a year or so ago. So convenient! I had arrived late in the afternoon and returned to my car after dark when visiting hours were winding up. Then it became clear why the spot had been free: ibis were roosting in the tree above; my car was already copiously splattered with their excreta. It was a big job to clean it off.
What about brush turkeys?
Hi Marcellous,
DeleteYes, I think i first saw ibis in Hyde Park around that time.
Bad luck about your car! Sometimes the flying foxes leave a "residue" on my car but never too much.
Brush Turkeys are expanding their range but I haven't seen any where I live. Maybe they will come 😊
As you suggest, you have got to admire the resourcefulness of the Australian White Ibis. What are they meant to do when humans have destroyed or spoilt so many of their natural habitats. Perhaps their poo contains a message to the city dwellers - "Look what you *******s have reduced us to!"
ReplyDeleteYou may be right!
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