Taronga Zoo’s Ibis breeding program linked to Sydney’s ‘bin chicken’ population growth

REVEALED: The real reason Sydney is plagued with ibises – and how the bin chicken population exploded from just 19 to more than 10,000

  • An Ibis breeding program from Taronga Zoo may be to blame population boom
  • In 1973 the zoo introduced free-ranging ibises and encouraged them to roost
  • The bin chicken population has peaked in Sydney with estimates of 10,000

Taronga Zoo could be responsible for Sydney’s Ibis population growth after their historic breeding program was revealed.  

There were 19 Ibises from Healesville in Victoria held in the zoo about 50 years ago.

But an experimental breeding program was launched by Taronga Zoo in 1973 to encourage the species to breed around the Sydney Harbour, ABC has reported. 

The ‘bin chicken’s’ population has been booming ever since – it is now estimated around 10,000 in Sydney.

The ibis population has grown from 19 to 10,000 in Sydney in under 50 years

The zoo’s desire for a breeding program may have some city dwellers questioning its benefit.

WHAT ARE IBISES?  

Their diet ranges from aquatic invertebrates to urban waste

Ibises supplement their diet in the big city by feasting at landfills, bins and litter 

Its wingspan can range from 110–125cm 

Breeding season in Sydney runs from June to February 

Ibis hotspots around Sydney include Darling Harbour, Wynyard Park and Sydney Fish Market car park.

 

Ibises have been branded a ‘bin chicken’, among other less then favourable nicknames, for its tendencies to scrounge for food wherever necessary – often in rubbish bins or landfills.

Principal Research Scientist at Australian Museum Dr Richard Major has said that it was ‘reasonable’ to suspect the program helped the species adapt to city life.

However, he said a big part of the population shift was due to the bird’s will to survive, ability to adapt and environmental degradation.

‘They’ve probably used the coast as a drought refuge when they weren’t getting the freshwater wetland support … and then discovered that humans do quite a good job of monopolising the resources.’

In a statement, Taronga Zoo has denied responsibility for the growth of the wild ibis population living in Sydney.

Ibis hotspots around Sydney include Darling Harbour, Wynyard Park and Sydney Fish Market car park.

Ibis hotspots around Sydney include Darling Harbour, Wynyard Park and Sydney Fish Market car park.

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