The ibis is a common bird found throughout Australia. While it goes by the common name ‘ibis’ in most parts of the world, it has some unique local names that are specific to different regions of Australia. In this article, we will explore the different names that ibises go by across Australia, the origins of these names, and how they reflect the cultural perceptions of this distinctive bird in different parts of the country.
Overview of the Ibis
Before diving into the various Australian names for the ibis, let’s first take a quick look at what exactly an ibis is. The ibis belongs to the Threskiornithidae family of birds, which includes spoonbills and other wading birds. There are two main species of ibis found in Australia:
- The Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca)
- The Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
These large birds are recognizable by their distinctive curved beaks, mostly white plumage, and black wing tips. They can reach up to 75cm in height and have a wingspan of up to 1.4m.
Ibises are widespread in Australia and can be found in wetlands, mudflats, parks, and urban areas across most of the country. They are opportunistic feeders, using their long, sensitive beaks to probe the mud and dirt for food like insects, crustaceans, small reptiles and amphibians.
Ibis Symbolism and Perception in Australia
In many parts of the world, the ibis is admired for its elegance and associated with wisdom or patience. However, the perception of ibises in Australia is much more varied.
Overall, these birds have a mixed reputation. Their scavenging tendencies and large ungainly nests often make them unwelcome guests in urban areas. Their willingness to rummage through garbage has earned them an unsavory association with dirt and disease in some regions.
At the same time, Aboriginal groups have long viewed the ibis as a symbolic part of the landscape and their mythology. Their adaptation to both wetland and urban habitats also represents the ability to thrive in diverse environments.
Let’s examine how this complex relationship with the ibis has resulted in an array of colloquial names around Australia.
Common Names
Bin Chicken
One of the most popular nicknames for the Australian white ibis is ‘bin chicken.’ This refers to the bird’s habit of foraging for food in garbage bins and dumps in urban areas. As these scavenging birds gather around public waste bins to scrounge for scraps, they appear somewhat reminiscent of chickens gathering around a coop.
The ‘bin chicken’ moniker originated in Sydney, where large flocks of ibises have colonized parks and reserves. Their messy nesting habits and association with garbage have made them unpopular with many Sydney residents. The Australian Museum even notes they have been voted the most hated bird in Sydney! So the name bin chicken captures their perceived dirtiness and pest-like urban lifestyle.
Tip Turkey
Another nickname with similar origins is ‘tip turkey.’ It also highlights the ibis’ penchant for hanging around landfills and garbage dumps (tips) in search of an easy meal. The turkey comparison stems from the ibis’ sizable beak and body.
This nickname is more commonly used in Queensland, where ibises congregate at dumps in large numbers. Their abundance and eagerness to gobble up any scraps leads to the tip turkey moniker.
Trash Vulture
Continuing the garbage theme, ‘trash vulture’ is a derisive name used in some urban areas where the birds are seen as pests. For those fed up with loud flocks raiding rubbish bins and making a mess, the ibis has come to be treated more like a pestilent vulture than an elegant wetland bird.
Dump Chook
The unsavory ‘dump chook’ is another variation that links the ibis to waste dumps and garbage heaps. The word chook is Australian slang for a chicken, so dump chook paints the ibis as a dirty chicken-like scrounger.
White Maggot
One of the most unflattering names is ‘white maggot.’ Likening the ibis to a pale, slimy maggot underscores its perceived dirtiness and disease-carrying reputation in urban areas. The off-putting reference to maggots reflects the disdain some feel for these lanky birds.
Regional and Aboriginal Names
While names like bin chicken and tip turkey dominate the ibis’ image in urban settings, Indigenous groups and local communities have their own perspectives reflected through local terminology.
Corroboree Ibis
Australia’s Aboriginal people have a much deeper connection to the ibis that predates European settlement. One of its names in Indigenous mythology is the ‘corroboree ibis,’ referring to corroboree ceremonies where the black and white ibis feathers were worn.
This name comes from the Wiradjuri people of central New South Wales. It shows how the ibis features symbolically in their cultural practices, evoking an aura of majesty and spirituality rather than garbage.
Mirli
In parts of northern Australia, ibises are known as ‘mirli.’ This is likely derived from ambul, one of the ibis’ names in the indigenous Guugu Yimithirr culture of northern Queensland.
So while urban Australia may dismiss the ibis as a trash bird, traditional Indigenous names reflect its cultural significance.
Warabu
According to Indigenous lore, the ibis acquired its distinctive curved beak by poking it into business that was not its own. As punishment, its beak became permanently curved – giving the bird its scientific name Threskiornis meaning ‘ornamental beak’.
Some Aboriginal language groups use ‘warabu’ as the name for the ibis. This name references the story of how the ibis’ cheeky inquisitiveness led to its bent beak.
Ibises in Literature and Popular Culture
The ibis has certainly made an impression across Australia’s cultural landscape as well, appearing in books, films, and artworks over the years. Let’s look at some significant examples:
Judith Wright Poem
One of Australia’s most celebrated poets, Judith Wright, wrote a poem titled ‘The Ibises.’ It describes a flock of ibises who ‘bear ancient memories’ as they fly over the landscape. This poetic piece captures both the inhospitable environment and the resilient Australian spirit.
Colin Thiele Children’s Books
Australian author Colin Thiele featured the straw-necked ibis prominently in his iconic children’s books like Storm Boy and Sun on the Stubble. The books include vivid descriptions of ibises wheeling through the sky or foraging in the mudflats.
Storm Boy Film
The Coorong region of South Australia, where Thiele’s Storm Boy takes place, is an ibis habitat. Both the 1976 film and 2019 remake show ibises in pivotal scenes representing freedom. Their flights inspire the film’s theme about respect for nature.
Ibis in Logos
The ibis appears in the logos of organizations like Birdlife Australia and even some local Sydney councils. Despite the bin chicken reputation, the ibis remains recognizable as an Australian bird.
Ibis Sculptures
Sculptures and statues of the Australian white ibis have been installed in various cities to acknowledge their ubiquity. These range from small plush toy versions to large metal public art installations with educational plaques about the species.
Interesting Ibis Facts
Physical Attributes
– Specially designed beak – The ibis’ long, curved beak allows it to probe crevices and muddy ground for food. The tip is tapered and flexible but strong enough to capture prey.
– Distinctive markings – Their predominantly white plumage makes ibises easy to recognize. Black wing tips and facial markings are distinct identifiers.
– Built for wading – Their long legs and partially webbed feet make ibises well-adapted to paddling through mud and shallow water in wetlands.
– Impressive wingspan – With wingspans up to 1.4m, ibises are graceful flyers. They can be seen soaring high overhead or engaged in stunning mating flights.
Habits and Behavior
– Social birds – Ibises tend to forage in flocks and nest in dense colonies of hundreds of birds called heronries. Their loud squawking serves to communicate within the colony.
– Opportunistic feeding – As well as hunting small prey, ibises will readily scavenge human garbage, making them highly adaptable to man-made environments.
– Communal nesting – Their large stick nests are untidily stacked together high in trees and on man-made structures. Nests are often recycled from year to year.
– Unique mating rituals – Male ibises perform elaborate bowing displays and offer the female nesting material during courtship. Pairs mate for life.
Migration
– Seasonal movements – Ibises may migrate north in winter to warmer areas and south for breeding. But many Australian ibises are now mostly sedentary due to ample food.
– Irruptions – Under extreme conditions like drought, ibises may have mass exodus irruptions from their usual range, only to return when conditions improve.
– Self-introduced expansion – Ibises have self-introduced to new regions, aided by irrigation systems and dams that create new wetland habitats with ideal foraging.
Conservation Status
– Least concern – Both white and straw-necked ibis species are currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. They remain widespread and adaptable.
– Increasing urbanization – Drawn by food sources, ibises continue to grow their populations in urban areas where they were once rare.
– Culls deemed ineffective – While considered nuisance birds in some cities, ibises are still protected species and attempts to cull populations have not proven effective.
– Minimal threats – As highly mobile and generalist feeders, ibises face few major threats aside from extreme droughts or habitat loss. Their flexibility helps them thrive.
Conclusion
The array of colorful names like bin chicken, tip turkey, and corroboree ibis reflect the ibis’ mixed reputation in Australia. While the boisterous ibises clashing with urban living generate scorn in cities, Indigenous cultures retain a more nuanced perspective on this iconic bird. With their expansive range and adaptability, ibises seem assured of maintaining their prominent place in the imagination of Australians for years to come, regardless of what you call them. Their mischief and resilience echo something intrinsically Australian.