A study of ibis in the City of Moreton Bay area has shown they are spreading their wings far and wide, with the native birds tracked right along the coast from Byron to Mackay.
The tracking of the birds – colloquially known as bin chickens – is aiming to better understand their behaviour to help Council manage its thriving Australian white ibis populations.
“Australian White Ibis are native to Australia, and they are an important part of our local ecology,” said Mayor, Peter Flannery.
“While the ibis is well-known for visiting outdoor dining areas and sometimes nesting in unsuitable locations, such as near major roads, this research will help us prevent the kinds of issues seen elsewhere in South East Queensland.
“It’s all about ensuring our residents, visitors and wildlife can live in harmony.”
Monitoring shows that since 2017, ibis breeding sites in City of Moreton Bay have increased from 17 to 70 locations.
In response, Council engaged the University of Sunshine Coast (UniSC) in 2021 to investigate whether ibis populations are resident or migratory, identify their preferred breeding habitats, and understand how they use the wider landscape.
Over a period of nearly two years, 169 ibis were fitted with blue and pink tags at various locations including Bribie Island, Bunya, Caboolture, Morayfield, Burpengary East, Scarborough, Strathpine, Lawnton and Woodford. Nineteen were fitted with short-term GPS trackers, which have provided precise insights into their daily movements.
Sightings have been reported across multiple local government areas, including Mackay, Rockhampton, Gympie, Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast, Fraser Coast and Byron Bay.
UniSC Associate Professor Dominique Potvin said that despite the apparent abundance of Australian white ibis, studies into the species were surprisingly few and far between.
“These insights into their movement show that the colonies we see are part of a larger network that spans across council, and even state borders,” Dr Potvin said.
“It’s clear that we need to think of ibis as individuals that have the freedom to move between cities, even if some like to stick to a local area. We may not see it, but these birds provide valuable ecosystem services, and research into where they live and how they decide where to go, can help us manage our urban landscapes for the good of ibis, people, and all the other wildlife that share our cities.
“These results highlight the need for councils to work together to help the birds make the most of the habitat they need while keeping both people and local wildlife safe and healthy.”
Council is encouraging residents, businesses and visitors to support ibis management by not feeding the birds, keeping outdoor areas clean, and ensuring rubbish bins are securely closed.
Community members can also contribute to the research by recording sightings of tagged ibis through the free Big City Birds citizen-science app.
