Australian white ibis

Australian white ibis at Lake Gwelup

Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) never used to be seen in Perth. Apparently, they turned up here in the 1950s. I can recall being very excited when seeing them for the first time soaring high over South Perth near the Zoo. This was in the 1980s. Later, I travelled to Sydney and was horrified to find a White ibis picking through a rubbish bin in a city park, the Domain. These days they are common all around Perth and gather in large flocks, gazing on open parklands.

At dusk you can see them returning to their roosts, flying in a characteristic V-shaped formation, much like the Canada geese.

Their normal food is invertebrates, such as locusts or mollusks. Unfortunately, the ibis has taken a liking to human scraps.


There are three ibis species in Perth

The White ibis  also known as the Sacred ibis

Another large ibis common around the city, the Straw-necked ibis

The Glossy ibis, a smaller ibis, which is less common in Perth