Why is the Australian white ibis called a bin chicken?
The Australian white ibis is nicknamed the bin chicken because it often raids rubbish bins in cities for food scraps. It is a native wetland bird that has adapted to urban life.
The ibis has white feathers, a bare black head and neck, and a long, curved black bill. Naturally, it uses the bill to probe mud in wetlands for crayfish, insects and mussels.
Since the 1970s, many ibis have moved into coastal cities such as Sydney and Brisbane, partly because inland wetlands dried during droughts and partly because cities offer plenty of food and nesting trees.
From pest to icon
Ibises are often seen as pests because they steal food and leave mess. But they are protected native birds, and their nickname has made them a popular, humorous symbol of urban Australia.
In 2017, the white ibis came second in a national bird of the year poll run by The Guardian and BirdLife Australia.
They nest in colonies in trees, often near water.
Did You Know?
The Australian white ibis is closely related to the sacred ibis of ancient Egypt.