Most of us have come across a bin chicken — also known as the Australian white ibis — but have you ever seen its better-looking cousin, the straw-necked ibis?

The straw-necks have the same long, pointy beak, but their back and wing feathers are coloured a rainbow-hued black and they have yellow, straw-like feathers on the front of their necks.

To coincide with the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, the CSIRO is encouraging people to report sightings so GPS trackers can be attached to the birds later this year.

The straw-necked ibis (top) is less likely to stay in the city than its better-known white cousin. ( Supplied: Freya Robinson, CSIRO )

"It's a bird that comes to cities but doesn't stay there like white ibises do," senior research scientist Heather McGinness said.

"We want to provide information about where the birds are foraging and how to manage their habitat to ensure their survival.

"It's a beautiful bird except for its head. It has beautiful glossy iridescent feathers on the back."

The rainbow 'bush cousin'

The straw-necked ibis is a nomadic bird, commonly found across eastern Australia near water.

They were once called the "farmer's friend" because they love to eat locusts, grasshoppers, grubs and yabbies.

Researchers want to find where straw-necked ibises roost over summer. ( Supplied: Heather McGuinness, CSIRO )

Scientists are hoping to catch the birds and attach solar-powered satellite transmitters with GPS tracking over December and January.

"Because it's been so dry inland, it's looking like the straw-necks are heading coastward," Dr McGinness said.

"They often occur at water sites ... and sometimes nest with up to 100,000 others every few years."

To report sightings of straw-necked ibises, contact researchers on Twitter (@AusWaterbirds), Facebook (Waterbirds Australia) or email (Heather.McGinness@csiro.au).

Calling all bird watchers

The Aussie Backyard Bird Count, running this week from October 23 to 29, is now in its fourth year.

Holly Parsons from Birdlife Australia encouraged everyone to spend 20 minutes this week recording their sightings via the bird count app or website.

"Just sit and listen; it's a really great way to pay attention to what is going on around you," Ms Parsons said.

"You're looking for any movement, listening to anything that is drawing your attention.

"By sending the data into us we can understand about what's going on with our urban birds ... what's happening with birdlife in Australia so we can better protect them."

Last year, more than 61,000 people participated in the census and 1.4 million birds were recorded across the country.

The top three birds in Australia were the rainbow lorikeet, the noisy miner and Australian magpie.

Ms Parson said they hoped the 2017 survey would deliver a count of at least 1.5 million birds this year.