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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 110(2)

Seasonal population dynamics of the Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) in urban environments

Andrew C. M. Smith A and Ursula Munro A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre of Environmental Sustainability, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: ursula.munro@uts.edu.au

Emu 110(2) 132-136 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU09072
Submitted: 11 August 2009  Accepted: 4 January 2010   Published: 18 May 2010

Abstract

Since the 1970s, the Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) has increased in abundance in coastal urban environments, where its high numbers can come into conflict with human interests. Little is known about them, and baseline information for appropriate management is lacking. Here we present data on the populations and age-composition of three major colonies of Ibis from the Sydney area over one year. Colonies differed between sites and through the year, which highlights the need for a broad-scale assessment of colonies before undertaking management actions. An analysis of the fly-in directions to their overnight roosts suggests that Ibis forage mainly at landfills.


Acknowledgements

We thank Geoff Ross (Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water, NSW), Helene Forsythe (Bankstown City Council) and all volunteers for assistance; and the Royal Zoological Society (NSW) for financial support. We also thank Harry Recher and two anonymous referees for critical comments on the manuscript. This project followed the regulations for animal research in Australia (Animal Ethics License number 031215/01, National Parks and Wildlife Service Scientific Licence S10026).


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