An Australian White Ibis feeding on crab, of the shore of Cairns, Queensland, Australia
he Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) 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. Its sister species is the sacred ibis.,Historically rare in urban areas, the Australian white ibis has migrated to urban areas of the east coast in increasing numbers since the late 1970s; it is now commonly seen in Wollongong, Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Townsville. In recent years the bird has also become increasing common in Perth, Western Australia and surrounding towns in south-western Australia. Populations have disappeared from natural breeding areas such as the Macquarie Marshes in north-western New South Wales. Management plans have been introduced to control problematic urban populations in Sydney. From its habit of rummaging in garbage, the species has acquired a variety of colloquial names such as "tip turkey" and "bin chicken" It is known as mardungurra among the Yindjibarndi people of the central and western Pilbara. he Australian white ibis is a fairly large ibis species, around 65–75 cm (26–30 in) long and has a bald black head and neck and a long black downcurved beak, measuring over cm ( in) in the male, and under in the female. There is some sexual dimorphism in size, as the slightly heavier male weighs – kg (– lb) compared to the – kg (– lb) female. As a comparison, the American white ibis generally attains 1 kg ( lb) in weight. The body plumage is white although it may become brown-stained. Inner secondary plumes are displayed as lacy black "tail" feathers. The upper tail becomes yellow when the bird is breeding. The legs and feet are dark and red skin is visible on the underside of the wing. Immature birds have shorter bills. The head and neck are feathered in white ibis usually gives off a foul stench.
Size: 2927px × 2141px
Location: Cairns QLD, Australia
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: australia, australian, bald, beak, bird, black, cairns, coast, coastal, crab, downcurved, eating, feeding, flats, head, ibis, inlet, large, long, molucca, mud, plumage, queensland, threskiornis, threskiornithidae, trinity, wading, white
