The Ibis is an instantly recognisable bird that in the last few years has grown in population. And they’re now growing in such numbers that they’ve started to encroach into urban areas. As a result, they can cause significant issues and are a pest in many residential areas.
In this article, we’ll look at how managing Ibis populations in your area can be done, especially in your garden. And what are the legal and practical problems you have?
Ibis Bird Presence Issues
Ibis are a very elegant bird. Their white plumage can look very stunning. However, they’re also a nuisance due to several behaviours related to nesting and feeding.
For example, large numbers of roosting/nesting ibis are known to significantly damage native vegetation and protect native wildlife. They may also cause nutrient imbalances in the local ecosystems through discarded eggs and faeces. These impact the water quality and can cause harm to native wildlife and fauna.
In addition, their feeding behaviour can be very destructive. They’re well-known to raid trash cans and rubbish bins. In addition to this, they can be very destructive to vegetable gardens and ponds.
There are also concerns that their behaviour can attract unwanted pests like foxes, rats, and other scavengers that will feed on the remains of rubbish left on the road. Therefore, the disease can spread pretty quickly.
The repairs that are required by homeowners too after birds have raided their garden can be significant. And insurance doesn’t always cover the cost.
Ibis have become very accustomed to human presence. So over the past few years, they’ve become bolder. So they’re also known to raid picnic areas. While they don’t pose a risk to humans, their large size and particularly their beaks can be intimidating for many, especially young children.
Understanding Ibis Behaviour
To properly deter ibis from a garden, it is important to understand their behaviour. Their behaviours can detail ways that they will react to stimuli that will help you to deter them in the future.
Characteristics and Habits of Ibis Birds
There are several noticeable behaviours of the Australian species. Their feeding behaviour in native ranges show that they eat a variety of prey including terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates.
However, over the past couple of decades, several groups have learned to feed from human scraps and rubbish. The species is very intelligent. They’ve been known to learn how to eat the invasive cane toads by flicking the toad to make them secrete their defensive toxin and then washing them in nearby water. This learned behaviour has been observed in several different regions. Interestingly, researchers don’t believe that the toxin is dangerous to the birds, but that they dislike the taste.
Breeding does vary depending on their location. In the south, they generally breed between August and November, and in the north they can breed between February and May. They create a shallow dish-shaped platform of sticks, grasses, or reeds. These are located in trees, close to a river, swamp, or lake.
In their native range, they often find nesting sites that are close to other common water birds such as egrets, herons, spoonbills, or cormorants.
During the breeding season, the female will lay between two and three white eggs. These are incubated for about 21-23 days. Once hatched, the hatchlings are altricial, which means they’re helpless and require their parent's care. It takes about 48 days for them to fledge.
In some of their range, the ibis have been seen living in groups as large as 30. And they’re also known to live alongside domestic chickens.
Factors Contributing to Ibis Presence
There are numerous reasons why ibis are becoming very common in urban areas. One is because of the protection that is afforded to them. Ibis are protected by Australian law, therefore no harm can come to them.
Another factor might be the reduction in their natural habitat and their adaptability. They’re known to be very adaptable, partly because they’re very clever and able to learn new survival techniques to help them adjust to new environments.
They’re also not very fussy eaters. Food from rubbish bins is just as tasty to them as invertebrates and other food that they can get. And learning how to clean food has shown their adaptability.
Methods for Deterrence and Prevention of Ibis
One of the best options for ibis control is to deter and prevent them from accessing the garden. As with many pest species in Australia, harming them is against the law. But there are lots of other options that are available to Australian homeowners.
Non-Harmful Deterrence Techniques
There are lots of non-harmful deterrence techniques that are available to homeowners. The first is to make the garden as unsuitable for the ibis as possible. This might include making gardens more open, so there are no suitable nesting sites for the birds. Also keeping other waterbirds out of the property can be important.
You might also want to include using other techniques such as keeping bins secure and not accessible to the birds. If there is no food for them to scavenge, they will not live in an area.
Finally, there are devices that you can install in your gardens that can help you to deter the ibis. The sentinel device is one of the best devices because it uses an ultrasonic sound to deter animals from an area. It uses a motion detector to deter the animals quickly.
In addition, there is the motion movement and water spray. These are normally sufficient to deter most waterbirds, and the ibis from an area. You might need a few of these to cover large gardens.
The device is environmentally friendly, using solar power to keep it going, which also means you can stay protected without having to test batteries regularly.
Legal and Ethical Removal Methods (if necessary)
If necessary, you might want to have an ibis or group removed. If this is the case, you should speak to a professional pest controller in your area. There are different rules and regulations around what can be done about established populations in an area, and you might need to defer to their expertise.
Natural Solutions for Ibis Management
There are numerous natural solutions for you to manage ibis populations in your area, these include:
Environmental Modifications
Environmental modifications will include making the environment unsuitable for their lives. So any water features in the garden should be altered to make them less favourable for the birds.
For instance, shallow water with no current can be attractive, so a deeper pond area with a strong current can help deter them.
You might also want to make the shoreline less easy to access, with a rockery around the edges.
Another option that can be pretty good is to open the garden up, so there is good visibility. This makes an area feel less secure for the birds.
Finally, ensure bins are out of reach. Using a secure storage option prevents the birds from knowing there is a potential food source nearby.
Utilising Natural Predators and Deterrents
Normally predators are an excellent way to deter a species from an area. But there are very few natural threats to the bird at this time. This is a contributor to their success. However, homeowners can introduce a dog to the garden.
Dogs can be an effective deterrent because they can pose a threat to the birds, which will make them seek a new area.
Cats might help to create an unsettling area, but they’re also significantly smaller than the bird and they might not pose the same risk to the birds as a dog might.
Summary of Effective Strategies for Ibis Management
There are numerous effective strategies for the management of ibis in urban settings. But it is important to think about what is best for you. You might be able to make some small changes to reduce their presence in your area. Or you might be able to add a sentinel device to scare the birds away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I identify if ibis birds are present on my property?
The main way to identify a population of the birds on your property is by seeing them. They’re not shy birds and will often display nearby.
What are the risks associated with ibis bird presence?
Ibis can be very destructive. Not only do they leave a mess, but they are also known to unbalance the natural ecosystem.
Are there humane methods to discourage ibis birds from frequenting my space?
Making a habitat less inviting is the best way to discourage ibis birds from living in your garden or on your property. That includes ensuring there is no food or access to water.
How can I prevent ibis birds from damaging my property?
Keeping them off your property is the best option. They are more likely to damage your property when nesting, so leaving without nesting material can be one option.
Are there any legal restrictions on managing ibis bird presence?
These are protected bird species, so all management of them has to be done with their health and well-being at the core.
