Birds of Western Australia
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The blue-winged kookaburra is a large species of kingfisher native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Measuring around 40 cm, it is slightly smaller than the more familiar laughing kookaburra. It has cream-coloured upper- and underparts barred with brownish markings.
Scientific name: Dacelo leachii
These dead thistles seem to be a favourite perching spot for the local Black-shouldered Kites around Avalon.
Australian King Parrot male observing the world passing by below him in the winter afternoon sun,
(Alisterus scapularis)
The days have been too gloomy for any outdoor photography so I am going through my photos and deleting the ones that seemed ok but in hindsight aren't. I came across this gem taken last year in my garden. These beautiful birds always seem to know when the peaches are ripe but I don't mind sharing with them. I love how the neighbours red brick wall makes a backdrop for this photo.
The Wonga Pigeon is found along the east coast of Australia, from south-eastern Queensland to Gippsland, Victoria.
The Wonga Pigeon is found in dense coastal forests, rainforests and scrubs. It is often seen in clearings near forests.
The Wonga Pigeon feeds on seeds of native and introduced plants as well as fallen fruit and the occasional insect. It forages exclusively on the ground.
Populations of Wonga Pigeons have suffered from land-clearing, fox predation and, during the 1940s, from shooting to protect crops or for the table, although numbers in many areas have now recovered. Wonga Pigeons feeds on seeds of native and introduced plants as well as fallen fruit.
Photographed Maleny, Queensland, Australia.
Steve Hitchcock © All rights reserved
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Brolga
Grus rubicunda
Gruidae
One of the most obvious features of the Brolga’s behaviour is its courtship display, an elaborate dance. The dance begins with a pair of birds picking up grass, tossing it into the air and catching it again. This is followed by the birds repeatedly leaping a metre into the air with wings outstretched, followed by stretching their necks upwards, bowing to one another, bobbing their heads, walking about and calling. Sometimes the dance is done alone or in a group, with the birds lining up opposite one another.
Description: The Brolga is a large grey crane, with a featherless red head and grey crown. The legs are grey and there is a black dewlap under the chin. Females are shorter than males. The energetic dance performed by the Brolga is a spectacular sight. Displays may be given at any time of the year and by birds of any age.
Similar Species: The Sarus Crane, G. antigone, another species of crane found in Australia, can be identified by its dull pink legs and the red of its head extending down the neck.
Distribution: The Brolga is found across tropical northern Australia, southwards through north-east and east central areas, as well as central New South Wales to western Victoria.
Habitat: The Brolga inhabits large open wetlands, grassy plains, coastal mudflats and irrigated croplands and, less frequently, mangrove-studded creeks and estuaries. It is less common in arid and semi-arid regions, but will occur close to water.
Feeding: Brolgas are omnivorous (feeding on both vegetable and animal matter), but primarily feed upon tubers and some crops. Some insects, molluscs, amphibians and even mice are also taken.
Breeding: Brolgas probably mate for life, and pair bonds are strengthened during elaborate courtship displays, which involve much dancing, leaping, wing-flapping and loud trumpeting. An isolated territory is established, and is vigorously defended by both partners. The white (blotched with brown and purple) eggs are laid in a single clutch. The nest is a large mound of vegetation on a small island in a shallow waterway or swamp. Both adults incubate the eggs and care for the young birds.
(Source: www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/brolga)
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© Chris Burns 2022
All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.
Perched Pelicans at the Western Treatment Plant, Werribee. A re-processed version of an image taken in 2013.
Spotted Pardalote, Woodlands Historic Park, Greenvale. Such a beautiful little bird, slightly smaller than their Striated cousins, and usually harder to find, but these ones this season seem particularly cooperative. They have such a beautiful bell-like call too, it really is quite captivating spending time with them.