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Straw-necked Ibis
This is another of my bird sightings from a recent trip to Far North Queensland: A Straw-necked Ibis. It was patrolling a large area of cut grass:
The name “straw-necked” comes from the bunch of thin, straw-like feathers at the base of the bird’s neck.
Down in Sydney, the Australian White Ibis (dubbed the bin chicken by locals) is a common sight. But I haven’t seen a Straw-necked Ibis before. According to my bird book, they’re roughly the same size and weight. However, this particular bird seemed heavier and stronger than the ibises I’ve seen up to now.
Common name: Straw-necked Ibis
Scientific name: Threskiornis spinicollis
Approximate length: 60-70 cm
Date spotted: 17 May 2022 (dry season)
Location: Port Douglas, Far North Queensland, Australia: 16°30’42.2″S 145°27’44.2″E
Ibis raiding the trash
Australian White Ibises are a common sight in the city, raiding the trash or swooping between the buildings. Their natural habitat is near water, nesting in colonies on trees and bushes on the water’s edge.
This video shows an ibis in Pyrmont, Sydney, guarding its booty from other raiders: screaming, strutting Silver Gulls and a curious but cautious Common Myna.
Here’s a close-up of the ibis.
Common name: Australian White Ibis
Scientific name: Threskiornis molucca
Approximate length: 70 cm
Date spotted: 4 December 2014
Season: Summer
Location: Pyrmont, in Sydney, Australia
Latitude/longitude: 33°51’56.4″S 151°11’46.6″E
Sydney Birder 