+ Magpie Removal

The Magpie is one of Australia’s familiar black and white birds that reach an average size of 36-44cm in length. Adult male birds have pure glossy white and black plumage whilst the females white areas are mottled a dusky grey. Juveniles are alike the females though the black plumage is grey brown in colour rather than pure black. Their sharp wedged-shaped beak is a blue-grey colour with a black tip and can cause serious injuries to the eyes and face when the Magpie becomes defensive during the breeding season.

+ Ecology

Magpies inhabit a wide variety of habitat types including open woodlands and forests, scrubland, farmland and suburban areas. They exhibit a preference for open grassy areas surrounded by vegetation. They are omnivorous, with their diet recorded to consist of over 140 different food items that includes invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and invertebrates. They are also efficient generalists with scavenging off carcasses not uncommon. Magpies will primarily forage on the ground but if other birds are around will sometimes retreat up into the tree canopy to eat.

+ Breeding

Magpies have a long breeding season in comparison to some other bird species with nest construction, egg incubation, rearing of chicks and fledging juveniles occurring between June and December. The females build nests high up in the tree canopy, but where tall trees are absent the nest will sometimes be built in saplings and bushes. A ‘bowl’ is constructed out of dry sticks, which are then lined with soft materials such as bark, grass and other plant material. It is not uncommon to see artificial materials such as wire, fabric, plastic, rope, baling twine and clothes pegs incorporated into the outer layer of the nest in suburban areas.

+ Suburban Magpies

Magpies have become successful within suburban areas due to land clearing and construction, which has created open spaces in once tree dominated landscapes. This in turn increases foraging opportunities. Hand feeding by residents, domestic pet food left outside and unsecured rubbish for birds to scavenge through also contributes to magpie occupation. Magpies are very territorial and will vigorously defend their nests against other birds, predators and humans. Attacks on people occur as magpies see us as just another intruder, they do not distinguish us from other animals and so they will swoop to try and scare us away. Birds that are overtly aggressive are the most cause for concern as they can inflict serious injuries to humans.

+ Ibis Removal

Australian White Ibis have long down curved black bills and often feed away from water. They can be seen probing into soft and marshy ground or under cowpats. Around cities they frequent rubbish tips, spilt and leftover food scraps in entertainment venues and outdoor restaurants. Because they have in a lot of cases lost their fear of humans they will stand on tables next to people eating and that maybe just after a visit to the local rubbish tip, a most unhygienic situation.

Overabundance of ibis populations within an urban environment can result in a range of issues/impacts, from noise and smell complaints, degradation of native vegetation and water quality, fouling of infrastructure and risk to air safety.

Ibis roosts create a number of nuisance issue for the public, including fouling of streets and recreational/eating areas, has resulted in numerous complaints and considerable expense to clean fecal droppings from infrastructure.

+ Common Ibis Issus

Common issues associated with ibis roosting and nesting in urban environment:

• Public nuisance (including noise, smell, aggressive behaviour)
• Expense of management implementation
• Degraded water quality
• Damage to vegetation
• Reduced diversity of fauna
• Risk to public health
• Aircraft hazard

Ibis colonies often elicit complaints from nearby residents due to noise, smell and accumulated excrement. These are the primary complaints from residents where large ibis roosting and/or nesting populations have developed in suburban settings. Noise is a significant issue as the breeding season coincides with the early sunrises of spring and summer. It is common for ibis to make sleep disturbing noises from 4am onwards. The smell of droppings, carcasses and broken eggs, magnified by the summer heat also contributes to public concern.

Ibis foraging in public areas may result in smell, noise, unsightliness and environmental contamination. Consequently, the recreational value of ibis populated parks may be reduced. Ibis feeding within parks, malls and outdoor eateries can aggressively seek food, causing injuries, damage and contamination of eating utensils and general nuisance. Given the opportunity, ibis will also upturn public and commercial bins whilst scavenging for food, creating further nuisance such as littering and impact public amenity.

Due to ibis roosting and breeding behaviour in the urban environment, Councils need to implement regular vegetation management (pruning of palms) and cleaning services of footpaths due to ibis droppings.

The high nutrient content of excreta from large numbers of birds can cause eutrophication of waterbodies, increasing odour and lessening the aesthetic appeal.

Ibis can smother foliage and defoliate branches on which they roost and nest, while their excreta, nesting materials and carcasses may inhibit seed growth.

Overabundance of one particular species can prevent others from roosting and nesting leading to a decline in diversity and impacts on ecosystem services.

Ibis are known to carry pathogens that could transmit to humans and other fauna (Epstein et al. 2006). Salmonellosis, which is associated with poor hygiene in recreation areas, presents the most likely threat to human health. Although no serious ibis related outbreaks in humans or animals have been reported to date, it is likely that as urban ibis populations increase the associated public health risk also increases. Aggressive ibis can cause minor injury to humans as they forage for food around bins and picnic tables. There are also records of bird mites causing skin irritations. The likelihood of the public being exposed to pathogens carried by ibis are low if exposure is limited and handling is avoided.

Risk to aircraft through bird strike is considered in relation to ibis populations within the vicinity of airports. It is unknown how far ibis travel but could be up to 25 km between their foraging and roosting/breeding sites (Murray 2005).

+ Bush Turkey Removal

Brush Turkeys are a robust bird growing to an average body length of 60-70cm. The plumage is dark brownish-black and their small head and long neck is bare skinned and reddish in colouring. Males are easily distinguished from the females by their large yellow wattles and redder head while females are plainer with no wattles.

+ Breeding

Breeding occurs from August through to December/January. A large mound which can be from 2m up to 4-6m wide and 1 -1.5m high is constructed out of decomposing vegetation, leaf litter and soil. It is essentially a compost heap that is maintained in temperature by the male by either adding or subtracting material, and is maintained at a steady 32-33°C for the duration of the nesting period. Males will vigorously defend their nest and territory from other males within the area. More than one female may be lured to a single nest by an amorous male, with each capable of depositing up to 24 eggs in a season. Over a season one mound may contain up to 150 eggs with the incubation period lasting approximately 50 days. The eggs are generally larger than a chicken egg, approximately 90mm x 65mm but can vary in size. They are chalky white in appearance becoming stained and a mottled yellowish-brown colour during incubation.

Chicks hatch and dig themselves out of the nest and resemble a quail with huge legs and feet. They are completely independent and capable of flight within hours of hatching. Goannas, snakes, birds of prey, domestic pets and vehicle strikes contribute to high chick mortality; with studies showing adult recruitment is as low as 1 in 200.

+ Suburban Turkeys

Extensive overhead tree canopies with dense gardens and vegetation underneath provide favorable conditions for the Brush Turkey as it’s very similar to their preferred habitat type of closed forests. The availability of increased feeding resources, roosting and nesting areas, and the expansion of housing development near reserve and parkland areas has contributed to high densities of turkeys within the suburban environment. Breeding opportunities increase due to a higher number of birds means more mounds can be established within short distances, resulting in higher egg yields and adult recruitment. Suburbs within close proximity to reserves, parklands and national parks with dense vegetation connectivity and wildlife corridors may be more likely to attract Brush Turkey activity. The most common complaint in regards to these birds is the destruction of garden areas which can result in plants being destroyed and mulch being spread all over the yard.

+ Plover Removal

Masked Lapwings or Plovers as they are also known are a medium sized long-legged distinctive bird that reaches an average size of 35-38cm in length. The head is black with characteristic fleshy yellow wattles that mask the face and droop down. The back is sandy brown and the neck and underparts are white with long red legs. The wings have a bony spur protruding from the shoulder, which is visible at close range. There is little difference in colour between the males and females however juveniles are duller in colouration and the top of the wings are mottled.

+ Ecology

Occurring through most of Australia except the central and westerly parts of Western Australia and South Australia, Masked lapwing’s occupy a wide range of natural and man-made open environments that are often situated close to wetlands. They are commonly observed in grasslands, farmlands, estuaries and open suburban areas such as golf courses, sports fields and lawns. Their diet consists on a variety of invertebrates such as worms, millipedes and grasshoppers but will also consume plant matter including seeds and leaves.

+ Breeding

Breeding occurs from June through to November or December however they may breed in any month if conditions are suitable. Masked lapwings nest in open areas, which allows for the bird to view its surroundings. A hollow is scraped into the ground and lined with small pieces of dry vegetation collected from the immediate vicinity. Clutch size usually consists of 3 or 4 eggs, which are pear shaped and a yellowish-olive to light-brownish-olive colour. Both sexes will take turn to incubate the eggs, which takes 28-30 days.

All wildlife is protected within Queensland and any attempt to harm or remove animals without the correct permits and licenses is illegal. This also includes tampering with nesting and breeding sites.

+ Relocation

During trapping and through to their release every effort is made to ensure the welfare and safe handling of these birds. Release sites are pre selected prior to removal to ensure that the habitat is suitable for their ecological requirements. All trapping and relocation is conducted in accordance with permits and licences issued by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) and Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).