John Leonard wrote:
>
> I certainly agree that White Ibis have learned to live alongside humans.
>
> At the University of Queensland in the early 90s I witnessed one clever
> strategy on the part of the Ibises. They would quietly approach people
> sitting on the lawns at lunchtime eating their lunches. The suddenly
> appearance of an Ibis a few feet away was enough to make many people retreat
> at once, leaving sandwiches or other food items for the Ibis to consume.
> Ibises, it should be remembered, are almost as tall as a person sitting
> down, and close up do look very prehistoric and threatening.
>
Hmmm, I don't know about threatening. However, they almost make noisy
friarbirds appear to be good looking in comparison - perhaps people
retreat so they don't lose that part of their lunch that has already
been eaten.
One thing for certain - the ibis would appear to be top of the
scavenging heap - any feral pigeon that dares to feed on a bit of tucker
that an ibis has targetted is quickly sent packing.
Regards, Laurie.
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