Straw-necked Ibis

STRAW-NECKED IBIS Threskiornis spinnicolis

It has been a wet week in Kilmore and the ground in the flatter areas in quite waterlogged.










At the twin bridges, to the west of town, there was a large number of straw-necked ibis, browsing amongst the grass and puddles. They do stand out when the sun shines on them, brilliant purple sheen from their wings, contrast beautifully against the white breasts.




 With so many birds, it was a little hard to get close enough for clear pictures. There were always some of their number watching out for what was going on.

Males and females are similar, the females in these picture stand out a little with some black banding across their chests.

 

The beaks have a downward curve, well shaped for finding food in shallow waters and grassland. They feed on a variety of insects, water creatures, frogs and small shell fish.  Their love of crickets and grasshoppers have given them the title of 'farmers' friends'






 Large numbers of straw-necked ibis can often be found on rubbish sites across Australia. They look dirty in these situations, covered from grime in their search for edible scraps amongst the rubbish. They do not have the pristine and bright look of birds of the wetlands.