Gold Coast City Councl say ibis problem is the responsibility of the restaurant

Scared diners go elsewhere or are forced to move inside because of pesky birds

Theo Kostoglou has had to replace glassware because it's been broken by beaks

Owner of Greek Street Grill says bin chickens are costing his business money

A restaurant owner in Surfers Paradise has hired 'bird shoo-ers' to keep pesky ibises away from paying customers.

Greek Street Grill owner Theo Kostoglou says the bin chickens are costing him business because they scare customers and steal food from their plates, which he has to replace.

'I have to have a staff member outside the front at all times to watch the birds. They're not fearful of humans and they hang around and sit and watch people eat. They wait for customers to look away then they jump on the tables and eat the food and drink the drinks', Mr Kostoglou told Daily Mail Australia.

Restaurant in Surfers Paradise has hired 'bird shoo-ers' to keep pesky ibises away (pictured)

Bin chickens scare customers away and steal food from the plates of those that stay (pictured)

'They even get their long beaks inside bottles. It's all extra costs for my business,' he added.

Mr Kostoglou said he and the restaurant next door had both complained to Gold Coast City Council about the ibises, but we're told it was for them to deal with.

'The council say it's nothing to do with them.

'I have to employ an extra staff member to watch for birds and spray them with water and vinegar.

I have to take these extra measures because the birds aren't safe to have around. Their beaks are quite scary and they can carry diseases. I don't want them passing anything on to my customers,' he said.

He said he'd like the council to send an environmentalist to find a solution.

'I don't want the birds killed but the council could find a safe option of getting rid of them.

'We've been told that the birds are trained to find the food source, then the rest of the birds follow them.

'I'd like someone to retrain them to go to a remote area. Then the rest can follow,' he said.

Mr Kostoglou said ibises wait for customers to look away then jump on the tables (pictured)

In a statement, the Gold Coast City Council said the ibises are protected under State Government legislation.

'[The] Council cannot remove the birds from the precinct. Importantly, even if we did, ibis fly up to 20km daily from the hinterland to Surfers Paradise as they know there are food scraps left on dining tables.

'To physically relocate the 20 problem birds would only see them return within a day or so.

'So it is not a simple matter of relocating nuisance birds.

''There are less than 20 problem birds in the Surfers area and it is a matter for private food service areas to ensure they keep the birds away from their dining areas. The number one rule is don't feed them, and don't allow patrons to feed them.

'If cafe owners ensured any food plates were quickly removed from tables as diners departed, we are confident that in a short time, the birds would realise that there are no food scraps available and would move on naturally.

'We feel for the cafe owners and have attended each cafe, with the Division Councillor, to explain to them their responsibility.'