Breeding biology of the Australian white ibis Threskiornis molucca at an urban breeding colony, south-east Queensland

Murray, Nicholas J.;Shaw, Phippil P.

Abstract

The Australian White lbis Threskiornis molucca has increased in range and abundance in Australia since European settlement and has recently reached pest proportions in urban environments. Aspects of Australian White lbis breeding ecology at an urban breeding colony on the Gold Coast, Queensland were studied in the 2002/2003 breeding season. Breeding activity commenced in late June and lasted for six months, with the last egg hatched in late December. A total of 124 clutches was initiated in 95 nests, and a further ten nests produced no eggs. The mean clutch size was 2.46 eggs and the mean incubation period was 21.61 days. Hatching success was 47.9 percent, fledging success was 60.3 percent and overall breeding productivity that is the proportion of chicks fledged to eggs laid, was 28.9 percent. Results reported here may be used in optimising the timing of visitation to urban breeding colonies for implementation of ibis management programmes that are aimed at controlling urban Australian White lbis populations.

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Corella

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2203-4420

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Australian Bird Study Association Inc.

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