by Carla Caruso

One of these birds is not like the others…

Kensington resident Christopher Hunter last month captured the return of a straw-necked ibis to Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16) – among a ‘wedge’ of white ibises.

As Christopher wrote on his Instagram page, Bush Bling: “Look who I saw today. I first saw Strawey about three years ago, with a flock of white [ibises], and haven’t seen her for about a year. But she’s back, strutting around with grace and glamour.”

There are actually three types of ibises in Oz.

The more widely known species – the Australian white ibis – tend to be opportunistic scavengers and often frequent rubbish tips and your city parks.

According to Rivers of Carbon, this variety has an almost entirely white body plumage (except for their tail), a black featherless head and neck, long and down-curved black bill, and pink skin under their wings.

Meanwhile, the straw-necked ibis favours wet and dry grasslands, pastures, croplands, and swamp or lagoon margins.

They’re identified by their naked black heads; long down-curved black bills; yellow throat plumes; glossy blue-black back and wings with a metallic purple, green and bronze sheen; and white napes and underparts.

The third such species is the glossy ibis, which almost appears black. They linger around swamps and lakes throughout the Aussie mainland but are more numerous out north.

While some refer to ibises, in general, as ‘bin chickens’, ‘tip turkeys’ or ‘dumpster divers’, you can’t really blame the birds for their reputation. They’ve settled into our coastal cities due to the abundant human food and water here - in contrast to the declining resources in their natural habitats inland.

Bush Bling’s Christopher grew a fondness for the birds when he lived in Sydney and volunteered at wildlife organisation WIRES.

This passion has seen him design various ibis-inspired accessories for his fashion range, Bush Bling, as below.

This month, Christopher also shared a photo online of a city mural, featuring the birds, commissioned by the University of Adelaide’s Faculty of the Professions

As he wrote: “This mural has been totally captivating me on my morning walks through the city. Today, I discovered it’s meaning. 

“The mural depicts a Kaurna ancestor, looking toward the sun, and ibises offering guidance and protection.

“The ibises reflect the Kaurna Dreaming story of Lawman Tjilbruke, and his journey down south.

“When Tjilbruke’s nephew died, in a state of grief, Tjilbruke turned himself into an ibis and his tears formed many of the springs between Warriparingga, Marion, and Nangarang, Cape Jervis, known as the Tjilbruke Trail.

“Ngadlu Padninthi Kumangka – We Walk Together.”