Re: White Ibis

["Neill Greg" <>]

I am wondering why the White Ibis is being targeted, is it because of the possible threats to human health?  If it is because of the numbers why aren't all the other dominate birds, Crows, Noisy Miners, and possibly Currawongs also targeted for control.  They have all benefited from co-existing with humans to the detriment of other bird species.

 

Greg

 

-----Original Message-----
From: [
Sent: Thursday, 25 September 2003 10:42 AM
To:
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] 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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