Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), Sydney, Australia.

The Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) is a wading bird of the ibis family Threskiornithidae, shown here in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Widespread across much of Australia, it has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long downcurved bill and black legs. 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 and 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 northwestern 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.

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Filename: 04AUS-10333_Australian-White-Ibis-Sydney.jpg
Copyright: © Tom Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com
Image Size: 3155x3800 / 2.5MB; http://www.photoseek.com/; Animalia Australia Aves South Pacific Southern Hemisphere animal avian bird vertebrate animal
Contained in galleries: AUSTRALIA: NSW: Sydney, Blue Mountains

The Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) is a wading bird of the ibis family Threskiornithidae, shown here in Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Widespread across much of Australia, it has a predominantly white plumage with a bare, black head, long downcurved bill and black legs. 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 and 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 northwestern 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.