Foraging behaviour and success of Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) in an urban environment

Murray, Nicholas J.;Shaw, Phillip P.

Abstract

The foraging behaviour and success of Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) was investigated in a range of natural and artificial urban habitats in Queensland, Australia. Observations were made in tidal mudflat, freshwater wetland, rural grassland, urban park and landfill habitats. Australian white ibis exhibited a range of foraging behaviours, including both visual (fossicking, jabbing and pecking) and non-visual foraging behaviours (probing). The most common non-foraging behaviour was walking, followed by prey handling, pause and alert. Fighting was observed only in landfill habitats. Australian white ibis were able to capture food items in all habitats, although foraging success at landfills was more than twice as high as the other habitats. Food items captured at landfills required significantly more time to handle before swallowing. The ability of ibis to capture food items in all habitats indicates that they are effective habitat generalists.

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Notornis

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1177-7680

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Ornithological Society of New Zealand

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