Yesterday I got off the ferry and went for a quick walk before work to the botanical gardens. Near the sculpture garden I spotted some ibises searching the grass for food.
The ibis was the first strange Australian bird I met, and I saw my first ibis in the park near the Sydney Aquarium. My friend Kelsey told me it was the "sandwich-stealing bird" and that I should be very careful when eating near them.
After a little research I found out they are also called "tip turkeys" (tip is Australian for garbage can) and have been subject to culls. The favoured method of culling involves coating the eggs in canola oil (Canadian canola?), blocking the air holes and preventing the matter inside from becoming a little birdie. The problem with this method is that ibises are long-lived, so a reduction in chicks born won't immediately be reflected in the population. This article even mentions the possibility of extinction, which is pretty sad. Maybe instead of killing them all off, we could just learn to share our sandwiches?
In other news, this is my 50th post! Yay 50! Happy Gold Anniversary! I wonder if I'll get a mention from the Gov General as they do with marriages? I think I deserve it.
1 comment:
congratulations!
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