Opal the Ibis Plush | Near Life Size Bin Chicken Souvenir
Meet Opal, the bin chicken plush toy that has finally earned her place indoors.
This near life-size Australian White Ibis stands about 45cm tall, digitally printed in realistic detail right down to the bare black head, the long down-curved bill and the cream plumes at the base of the neck. Soft and unreasonably lifelike, she's the funniest Australian souvenir gift you can put on a colleague's desk. For anyone who loves the ibis, tolerates the ibis or has personally lost their rubbish bin to one, this is the plush toy that says it best.
The Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca, is a native waterbird of swamps, lagoons and floodplains that moved into our cities as inland wetlands dried out. It is often called the Sacred Ibis, though that name properly belongs to a closely related African species. In the wild it hunts crayfish and mussels, hammering the shells open on a hard surface to get at the soft body inside. Its numbers are rising in urban parks while declining across its natural range, so the bird raiding your picnic is really a story about habitat loss.
Give it as a joke. Let it become the reason someone finally loves these fascinating, adaptable icons.
- Near life size plush, approx 45cm tall (43 x 19 x 25cm)
- Digitally printed, soft and suitable for ages 3 and over
- Selected by the Australian Museum Shop. Every purchase supports the Museum's research and education work
Delivery costs are calculated at checkout and include the total weight of items within an order.
Orders are posted Mon - Weds. Standard post to Australian addresses will arrive within 5 - 7 working days from dispatch date.
For international delivery, please allow an additional 14 days
We hope you are happy with your purchase(s). But if not, we will exchange or issue a refund provided that the goods are returned in saleable condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is it? Approximately 45cm standing, and around 19cm wide and 25cm deep. It is close to life size for the bird, so it has real presence on a desk, a shelf or an office chair.
Is it a good joke or novelty gift? It is one of our most popular gifts for exactly that reason. It works as a birthday gift, a farewell gift, a Secret Santa, a desk mascot or a souvenir for a visitor who has been swooped at lunch.
Is it safe for children? Yes. It is recommended for ages 3 and over, and it is soft enough to be a genuine cuddly toy as well as a display piece.
Why does the Australian Museum sell a bin chicken? Because the ibis is a good story. It is a native species whose urban boom reflects the drying of its inland wetland habitat, and it is one of the easiest ways to start a conversation about urban wildlife. Proceeds support the Museum's work.
