Keeping wildlife wild
Many people enjoy feeding native wildlife, but it is important to also consider the impact this may have on these native animals.
The best food for native birds is the food they find themselves. Human foods can be harmful and deprive birds of much needed
nutrients, which only natural foods provide.
Nature has a delicate balance. When you feed birds, you encourage them to breed in unnaturally high numbers that the natural
environment cannot sustain.
Keep wildlife wild - for their sake and ours, do not feed native animals.
Council occasionally receives information requests from residents about over abundant populations of native birds. These are
usually species that are readily able to exploit anthropogenic (i.e. human related) food sources. Often these species are unfairly
labelled as ‘pests’ or ‘nuisances’, however, with a little understanding we can learn to live with them. Note that leaving food
scraps may also result in the proliferation of introduced bird species, such as the feral pigeon and the Indian myna (pictured
below). It can also attract other pests such as introduced mice and rats.
Some species of native birds that can become problematic are detailed in this fact sheet.
Australian white ibis – Threskiornis molucca
The white ibis is a native bird species traditionally associated with inland swamps and
wetlands. However, since the 1980s urban populations of ibis have increased significantly in
South-East Queensland. This was probably in response to inland droughts in their natural
habitat areas. Subsequently, the species has proliferated in urban areas – the only wading
bird to have done so anywhere in the world.
Ibis are generalist scavengers, who have become used to the presence of people. They have
learnt to forage at public recreational areas which often results in human-wildlife conflict. As
ibis have also learnt to forage at landfills, this also leads to the perception that they are dirty
animals responsible for the spread of disease (there is no evidence to support this).
Although ibis appear to be abundant, they are actually in decline in their natural habitat areas. In known high foraging areas for
ibis, council is committed to ensuring that refuse bins are of the style that prohibits access to birds. It is hoped that by reducing
anthropogenic food sources ibis numbers will be controlled in urban areas, and that they will re-colonise wetland areas where
they fill an important ecological niche.
Torresian crow – Corvus orru
Over the past few decades populations of the native torresian crow have increased
significantly in the suburbs of South-East Queensland, and there is little doubt that an
increase in food supply is the biggest factor affecting crow numbers.
Although they may be unpopular with some people, crows are a valuable species that play an
important role in the environment. As scavengers, they feed on carrion (animal remains) which
would otherwise rot and potentially create a risk to human health.
Crows call with a familiar loud, drawn out ‘aark aark’ – which some people may find disturbing in urban areas. As increases in
food supply lead to increased numbers of birds, disposing of food scraps thoroughly, and not actively feeding crows, will help
their numbers reach natural levels. Crows have quickly realised that cat and dog food left on doorsteps and under patios is a
“fast food” opportunity.
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February 10