Friday 28 March 2014

NESTING IBIS IN SYDNEY

The Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis moluccus), is a wading bird of the ibis family Threskiornithidae. It is widespread across much of Australia. It has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long downcurved bill and black legs. See another photo here.

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 (Threskiornis aethiopicus).

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

10 comments:

  1. Ibis gathered to watch the sky.
    Us gathered to watch the Ibis.
    Kewelopolis!
    JM Illinois
    U.S.A.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful image. Really well done. Happy Skywatching.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a simply stunning sunset composition.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stunning, brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary--none of these words quite puts how amazing this photo is, into perspective.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A marvelous photo and thank you for the information about the birds.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautiful sky as a background for the ibis silhouettes.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nice picture - ibis are strange looking birds.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow - magnificent shot.

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you, so please comment. I appreciate constructive criticism as it improves my skills as an amateur photographer.