Australian white ibis

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This article is about the Australian white ibis. For the New World bird, see American white ibis.
Australian white ibis
Threskiornis molucca - Perth.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Ciconiiformes (disputed)
Family: Threskiornithidae
Subfamily: Threskionithinae
Genus: Threskiornis
Species: T. moluccus
Binomial name
Threskiornis moluccus
Cuvier, 1829

Threskiornis molucca


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 north-western 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.


It was initially described by Georges Cuvier in 1829 as Ibis molucca. It is considered part of a superspecies complex with the sacred ibis (T. aethiopicus) of Africa, and the black-headed ibis (T. melanocephalus) of Asia. Its status in the complex has vacillated over the years. Many older guidebooks referred to the bird as a species T. molucca, until a comprehensive review of plumage patterns by Holyoak in 1970. Holyoak noted the three species' similarities and that the Australian taxon resembled T. aethiopicus in adult plumage and T. melanocephalus in juvenile plumage. He proposed they all be considered part of a single species T. aethiopicus. This was generally accepted by the scientific community until Lowe and Richards's assessment of plumage in 1991.[2] They again recommended the recognition of molucca at species level. This was followed by chromosome study which highlighted each of the three species having a different karyotype.[3] The Australian white ibis has been considered a full species by most authorities since then.[4]

Alternate colloquial names include "bin chicken", "dump chook" or "tip turkey", from its habit of rummaging in garbage,[5] and "sheep-bird". It was known as mardungurra among the Yindjibarndi people of the central and western Pilbara.[6]


Two subspecies are recognised:

  • T. m. molucca of mainland Australia, is the nominate subspecies.
  • T. m. pygmaeus (Solomons white ibis) is a dwarf form found on the Solomon Islands that has been considered a separate species at times.[2]


The feathered head and neck of a juvenile
In flight, red skin visible under wings

The Australian white ibis is a fairly large ibis species, around 65–75 cm (25–30 in) long and has a bald black head and neck and a long black downcurved beak, measuring over 16.7 cm (6.6 in) in the male, and under in the female. There is some sexual dimorphism in size, as the slightly heavier male weighs 1.7–2.5 kg (3.7-5.5 lb) compared to the 1.4–1.9 kg (3.1–4.2 lb) female.[7] As a comparison, the American white ibis generally attains 1 kg (2.2 lb) in weight.[8] 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.[9] The head and neck are feathered in juveniles.

The white ibis usually gives off a foul stench. This smell is not described as rotten, but an odd smell that is rather unpleasant and distinct.

The call is a long croak.[9]

The Australian white ibis reaches sexual maturity in three years,[7] and can reach twenty-eight years of age.[5]

Distribution and habitat[edit]

Adult at Coolart Wetlands, Mornington Peninsula, Australia

The Australian white ibis is widespread in eastern, northern and south-western Australia. It occurs in marshy wetlands, often near open grasslands and has become common in Australian east-coast city parks and rubbish dumps in the urban areas of Wollongong, Sydney, Perth, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Townsville. Historically it was rare in urban areas; the first influx was noted after drought drove birds eastwards in the late 1970s. The urban population further increased after a further period of drought in 1998.[5]

There has been debate in recent years over whether to consider them a pest or a possibly endangered species. Birds in tourist areas of Sydney such as Darling Harbour, the Royal Botanic Gardens, or Centennial Park have been a problem due to their strong smell. Populations in the latter two areas have been culled.[10] The birds have also come to be regarded as a problem species in Victoria as a result of their scavenging activities, scattering rubbish from tips and bins in the process. They are even known to snatch sandwiches from picnickers. Such behaviour, together with their propensity to build nests in "inappropriate" places, and competition with captive animals, led to surplus birds being relocated from Healesville Sanctuary to Sale. However, the birds returned in a few days.[11]

The Macquarie Marshes in north-western New South Wales was one of the main areas for breeding, but none has been reported breeding there since 2000, from 11,000 pairs in 1998.[5]


Nesting at Coolart Wetlands, Mornington Peninsula, Australia
Juveniles on nests




Breeding season varies with the location within Australia, generally August to November in the south, and February to May, after the wet season, in the north. The nest is a shallow dish-shaped platform of sticks, grasses or reeds, located in trees and generally near a body of water such as river, swamp or lake. Ibises commonly nest near other waterbirds such as egrets, herons, spoonbills or cormorants. Two to three dull white eggs are laid measuring 65 mm × 44 mm.[12] The clutch is then incubated for 21–23 days. Hatchlings are altricial, that is, they are naked and helpless at birth, and take 48 days to fledge.[7]


  1. ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Threskiornis molucca". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 2014-05-05. 
  2. ^ a b Lowe KW, Richards GC (1991). (abstract) "Morphological Variation in the Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Superspecies Complex". Emu 91 (1): 41–45. doi:10.1071/MU9910041. Retrieved 2008-06-14. 
  3. ^ de Boer LE, van Brink JM (1982). (abstract) "Cytotaxonomy of the Ciconiiformes (Aves), with karyotypes of eight species new to cytology". Cytogenet Cell Genet. 34 (1–2): 19–34. PMID 7151490. Retrieved 2008-06-14. 
  4. ^ Christidis L, Boles WE (2008). Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Canberra: CSIRO Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-643-06511-6. 
  5. ^ a b c d "Ibis invasion". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 16 November 2007. Retrieved 22 November 2007. 
  6. ^ Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation (2005). Garruragan: Yindjibarndi Fauna. Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation. p. 32. ISBN 1-875946-54-3. 
  7. ^ a b c Legoe C, Ross G (eds.) (April 2007). "Wild about ibis: living with urban wildlife" (PDF). Department of Environment and Climate Change, New South Wales - website. Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-15. 
  9. ^ a b Simpson K, Day N, Trusler P (1993). Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Ringwood, Victoria: Viking O'Neil. p. 54. ISBN 0-670-90478-3. 
  10. ^ "Ibises–cull them or cuddle them?". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 October 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2006. 
  11. ^ Temby, Ian (June 2003). "Problems caused by the Australian White Ibis" (PDF). State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment. Retrieved 29 June 2008. 
  12. ^ Beruldsen, Gordon (2003). Australian Birds: Their Nests and Eggs. Kenmore Hills, Qld: self. p. 177. ISBN 0-646-42798-9. 

External links[edit]