The White Ibis who are known for their nomadic behaviour are probably changing patterns and Sanctuary Lakes with its abundance of aquatic invertebrates, land worms and nearby Werribee Tip for human scraps, seems to have become a White Ibis favoured stopping place. Yet there seems to be no lowering flock numbers. Most dramatically in Macquarie Wetlands where there were over 2,000 breeding pairs at the turn of this century, but now fifteen years later there are but a handful. The increase has continued to the point where the traditional breeding grounds of Macquarie Wetlands (NSW) and Murray Basin (Vic/SA) are no longer used. The urban population further increased after a second period of drought in 1998. Historically it was rare to see a White Ibis in urban areas the first influx was noted after drought drove birds eastwards in the late 1970s. Its preferred habitat are lagoons swamp and marsh lands but today they also occur in open spaces, parks and rubbish dumps within the city precincts. The Australian White Ibis is widespread in eastern, northern and south-western Australia. Adult birds have a tuft of cream plumes on the base of the neck. MOSES USED THE IBIS TO HELP HIM DEFEAT THE ETHIOPIANS SKINDuring the breeding season the small patch of skin on the under-surface of the wing changes from dull pink to dark scarlet. The head is featherless and its black bill is long and down-curved. The Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis moluccus)The Australian White Ibis is the largest of the three Australian Ibis (65cms to 70cms) and is easily identified by its almost entirely white body plumage and black head and neck. This is due in the main to the twentieth first century climate, urban development and food conditions for not just one species but all three Australian Ibis - the White, the Straw Neck and the Glossy. Sanctuary Lakes could be humbled that such birds cloaked with a phenomenal ancient history, have decided to make the Resort a resting and feeding place between summer breeding and northern wintering. Still today, an Ibis is the unit symbol of the Israeli Special Forces. According to biblical tradition, Moses used the Ibis to help him defeat the Ethiopians. But there again, even the Hebrews placed the Ibis in high esteem. I must point out that when I look at the Ibis poking around the mud in search of a tasty worm I find it hard not to be a little cynical of the Egyptians' and Greeks' claims for the part Ibis God Thoth. They further claimed he was the true author of every work of every branch of knowledge, human and divine. The Greeks went further and declared him the inventor of astronomy, astrology, the science of numbers, mathematics, geometry, land surveying, medicine, botany, theology, civilized government, the alphabet, reading, writing, and oratory. The Egyptians credited him as the author of all works of science, religion, philosophy, and magic. Without his words, the Egyptians believed, the gods would not exist. He also served as scribe of the gods, credited with the invention of writing and alphabets (i.e. He served as a mediating power, especially between good and evil, making sure neither had a decisive victory over the other. Thoth's roles in Egyptian mythology were many. Thoth, one of the most important deities of the Egyptian pantheon, was depicted as a man with the head of an ibis. The Deity Thoth part man part IbisThe Ibis is a very ancient species and was an intricate part of Egyptian mythology. During this month of May, all three Australian species of the Ibis can be seen in the Sanctuary Lakes Resort.
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