Australian White Ibis

Historically rare in urban areas, the Australian White Ibis has immigrated to urban areas of the east coast in increasing numbers since the late 1970s; it is now commonly seen in Wollongong, Sydney, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Townsville. Debate continues on whether to consider it a pest or vulnerable species. Populations have disappeared from natural breeding areas such as the Macquarie Marshes in northwestern New South Wales. Despite this, the species has been culled in parts of Sydney due to their smell and at times obtrusive nature. Its sister species is the Sacred Ibis.

The Australian White Ibis is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) is a wading bird of the ibis family Threskiornithidae, also known as the "Sheep bird". It is widespread across much of Australia. It has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long downcurved bill and black legs. More

Some Australian White Ibis populations have learnt to exploit artificial foods in urban environments and are becoming pests. However, although Australian White Ibises are becoming more common in some areas, their abundance is decreasing in their natural range. Alternative Name/s Sacred Ibis Identification The Australian White Ibis is identified by its almost entirely white body plumage and black head and neck. The head is featherless and its black bill is long and down-curved. More

The Australian white ibis, Threskionis molucca, is a highly visible native water bird in New South Wales. What do they look like? - * Like all ibises, the Australian white ibis has a large, curved beak designed for probing. More

Australian White Ibis Size: 65-75cm Habitat: Common over the eastern half and south west of the Australian mainland. It lives in swamps, creeks and lakes near grasslands and has become common in city parks. Feeds on various aquatic creatures, insects and now unfortunately garbage. Notes: Head and neck is black with a long black curved beak, body white with black feathers near tail. Breeds Summer-Autumn. For more information on Australian White Ibis see references. Page | 1 | BF8C6107. More

Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) General Information Description: The Australian White Ibis has bare, black skin on its head and neck. It has white plumage and a long down-curved bill which is distinctive. Flocks of White Ibis circle, soar and travel in undulating lines of rough "V" formation and appear clean white against a deep blue sky. At close range, their plumage and skin are often stained muddy grey. More

The Australian White Ibis can be observed in all but driest habitats. Preferred habitats include swamps, lagoons, floodplains and grasslands, but it has also become a successful inhabitant of urban parks and gardens. The Australian White Ibis' most favoured foods are crayfish and mussels, which the bird obtains by digging with its long bill. Mussels are opened by hammering them on a hard surface to reveal the soft body inside. More

* Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca * Straw-necked Ibis, Threskiornis spinicollis * Genus Pseudibis * Indian Black Ibis, Pseudibis papillosa * White-shouldered Ibis, Pseudibis davisoni * Genus Thaumatibis * Giant Ibis, Thaumatibis gigantea * Genus Geronticus * More

Australian White Ibis by EverChanging1Australian White Ibis by EverChanging1 * Favorite * Report Concern * Share This * Facebook * Twitter * Sharona Sharona Wonderful capture – and he looks great against the gorgeous blue sky! More

An Australian White Ibis is pictured in full flight, against a cloudless blue sky. Its long black beak, a feature of the bird, is pointed downwards and partly opened, indicating it is about to dive down for something. The Ibis has mainly white feathers, with black tips. Its long feat are black, matching its face and beak. More

The Australian White Ibis - conservation takes a twist = It probably seemed like a good idea at the time. Why not breed an Australian bird and release it in - wait for it - Australia. More

Banded Australian White Ibis with a radio-transmitter on its back. © Australian Museum Banded Australian White Ibis with a radio-transmitter on its back. More

The Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca is one of the first birds that visitors (even non-birding visitors) to Sydney tend to notice first. Historically rare in urban areas, the Australian White Ibis was bred and released at Taronga Zoo and has now spread throughout urban areas in ever-increasing numbers. It is now common in the city’s parks and botanical gardens. More

reference to an Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) having blue feathers. The full quote was made in May 2009 on a bird-related mailing list and is presented in full here: "People might remember the blue Australian White Ibis seen last year, very similar to the blue colour of the sparrow. A couple of months ago the blue Ibis was at Freshwater Creek Wetlands at Chullora and it was in moult with the blue feathers being replaced by white feathers. More

You've just been robbed by the Australian white ibis, Threskiornis molucca, and you wouldn't be the first victim. Ibis are especially bold in spring as they forage for food to feed their hungry chicks. They're an imposing sight, a black and white bird standing almost three-quarters of a metre tall with a bald black head, long purplish legs and distinctive, down-curved beak. More

Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) The Spit, Gold Coast, Qld Copyright 2006-2007 KC Choo - All Rights Reserved More

The Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), also known as the “Sheep Bird”, is a wading bird of the ibis family Threskiornithidae. They are common throughout eastern and southwestern Australia. This ibis occurs in marshy wetlands, often near open grasslands and has become common in Australian east coast city parks and rubbish dumps since 1998. This species has a bald black head and neck and a long black down-curved beak. More