Water shortages in the regions has driven flocks of ‘bin chickens’ into urban areas in Western Australia, according to the experts behind a national bird count.

The white ibis, colloquially known as the ‘bin chicken’, has cracked the top 10 of the most frequently spotted bird nationwide in Birdlife Australia’s Aussie Backyard Bird Count for the first time.

The white ibis, also known as 'bin chicken', is being increasingly driven to metropolitan areas due to a lack of water in the regions. Credit:Peter Rae

The jump in reported sightings around urban areas across the nation saw the bird move from 14th spot in 2018 to 10th this year, while remaining in ninth position for the most commonly seen bird in WA.

Australian Birdlife managing director and ‘chief bird nerd’ Sean Dooley told Radio 6PR it was the first time the species had made the top 10 since the national bird count began six years ago.