Australian White Ibis

How has a change in climate effected a species resulting in them

to adapt?
The Australian White Ibis has a white body and black head and neck and has a long, curves
black bill. The Australian White Ibis is common in northern and eastern Australia, and in
Western Australia. It lives in habitats such as swamps, lagoons, floodplains and grasslands
(not dry areas) and now can be found in urban parks and gardens. They eat food from under
the ground and water and human scraps. They use their long bills to dig for food and
hammer their food on the ground to break it up.
Because of the continuous dry conditions in Western New South Wales, the ibis
have not been able to eat food from their usual wet areas. Instead, they have
migrated to the areas along the east coast of Queensland, especially in urban
areas, to get their food.

Reflect on the significance of these adaptations

Ibis are seen less in their natural environment and more common in urban areas, but
these areas are also becoming dry, due to draught conditions. The Ibis have had
to adapt to these living conditions, because of the dry climate. Instead of eating
their favourite crustaceans, they have adapted to eating artificial foods, and are
typically seen in huge masses around garbage dumps and other places where
litter is present. Their adaptation was essential for their survival as their usual food source
was becoming rare. These areas are in urban environments where the ibis are becoming
pests.

Make judgements on the effects this change has on them and the
environment.
Many of these south-east Queensland towns have become full of
these birds and they are becoming a pest to both human civilisation
and the environment. They destroy vegetation and dominate areas
over other birds and animals, destroying their food chains and
habitats. This affects the environment as it forces other species to
adapt to other environments and diets. They take over an area and
push everything else out and are aggressive to get food. They are
scavenging birds now, making their area stink with their waste. They are noisy and
aggressive, especially when its mating season.

Determine what could be the next change, reflecting on its

habitat and diet.
A town in Queensland (Bundaberg) is taking action against the birds and are going to spend
$45 000 to conduct an Ibis Management Program. This includes controlling the number of

ibis that hatch from eggs every year. The Bundaberg council will destroy
a number of eggs so they dont reproduce as many birds. The ibis will
need to adapt to the dry climate and continue to eat artificial foods at
dumps. This is because the wetter areas are becoming less and less
due to the draught. Humans will need to control public areas so that they
are not pests around cafes or BBQ areas.