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Straw-necked Ibis

(Threskiornis spinicollis)
Alternative names: "Farmer's Friend", "Dryweather-bird", "Letter-bird"
Aboriginal names: "paipan", "murrgumurrgu" [yuwaalaraay]
Size: 60-70 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Straw-necked Ibises are found over most of the Australian continent including Tasmania, with the exception of the most arid parts of the interior of the continent, i.e. the easternmost part of WA, the western half of SA and the south-eastern corner of the NT. In other parts of the semi-arid interior they are present only when there is sufficient surface water, normally after major rainfall events.

Straw-necked Ibises usually prefer freshwater wetlands, but they can also often be found foraging on open grassland and paddocks, especially after rainfall.

Sightings

Straw-necked Ibises are commonly found in the Narrabri region, in all wet, moist or muddy areas. After rainfall their numbers increase noticeably. In September 2008 a flock of around 100 birds came to Eulah Creek, 20 km east of Narrabri, NSW, 1-2 weeks after significant rainfall.

Also sighted on a trip to the east of the dividing range, in the area from Armidale to Dorrigo and Clarence river downs (Iluka), New South Wales.

Large numbers (of order 30000, according to local NPWS officers) of birds were nesting at the Narran Lakes Nature Reserve, 50 km north-west of Walgett, NSW, in March 2008. At the time a flood wave was moving down the Darling River. As we passed the area, a smaller number of birds could also be observed on the fringes of the reserve.

Photos

Straw-necked Ibis with its head turned

Lateral view of a Straw-necked Ibis

Straw-necked Ibis having a drink

Pair of Straw-necked Ibises

Straw-necked Ibises invading a paddock in large numbers

Straw-necked Ibises taking to flight

This immature Straw-necked Ibis that does not have the typical feathers yet that give the race its name called our place its home for a while

Lateral view of an immature Straw-necked Ibis; note the iridescence of its plumage

Dorsal view of the same bird as shown above

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive Elementary unit: Flock

After significant inland rainfall the population of Straw-necked Ibises living along inland rivers, lakes or dams venture out to feed on recently soaked open grasslands, including paddocks.

Flock of Straw-necked Ibises zeroing in on our paddock to give it a good work-over; they appeared a few days after a major rain event in early September 2011

Additional information

Click here to see a group of immature Straw-necked Ibises foraging at our property.

Food

Ibises feed on small animals that they pull out of mud or soft soil. Straw-necked Ibises are also known to scavenge; they are often seen around rubbish tips.

Immature Straw-necked Ibis with a grub in its long bill