Re: White Ibis

Terrill wrote " .... should contact Bankstown Council to complain about their plans to control these birds."

I've been out of the office this week and have worked through my e-mails.  I was surprised that no-one publicly asked why should people should complain about potential plans (I haven't heard anything definite) plans to control White Ibis.

What the hell, I'll throw a cat among the pigeons, or ibis as the case may be.  

White (aka Sacred) Ibis are becoming the new Feral Pigeon/Common Myna/Silver Gull of urban areas.  They have adapted to urban areas and are increasingly breeding in urban wetlands and, occasionally, slightly more novel locations.  They have the added disadvantage of being large.  Being as fearless as your average urban pigeon or gull this size can be fairly intimidating should they be intent on party-crashing your picnic.  They are a major problem at most zoos in Australia as well as the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney.  Being a colonial breeder that is only too happy to hang out at the local rubbish tip, much as Silver Gulls, and Pelicans (there's another potential problem bird), do they have the potential to harbour disease.  I gather the major reason for the initial cull of the Georges Hall birds is to check for disease.  

Just because a bird is a native there is often a perception that they should be protected at all costs.  Native birds that can take advantage of changed conditions, particularly urban environments, can become just as much of a pest as introduced ferals.  

Open to discussion.

Cheers

David Geering



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