With so many beautiful and boisterous birds in Australia it’s very easy to take the common ones for granted. Galahs are a great case in point, however we do this at our own peril.
Continue reading “The Sad Story Behind These Galahs”Pigeons and Doves
If you were to stand in Crows Nest and draw a circle with a radius of 50 kilometres you’d pick some 340 species of birds – 16 of which would be pigeons or doves. Like parrots, pigeons and doves evolved in Australia, and with our proximity to both the escarpment and drier woodland areas on the Downs, we are very well placed to see a range of these unique and beautiful birds.
Continue reading “Pigeons and Doves”Crows and Ravens in SE Queensland
I think it’s fair to say that corvids (crows and ravens) are amongst our most misunderstood and reviled birds.
Continue reading “Crows and Ravens in SE Queensland”Black cockatoos in the Crows Nest area
In our local area we are fortunate to have a number of species of black cockatoos present. Do you know how many there are? Before I answer that let’s first dive into a bit of background about Australia’s black cockatoos – and then see if you guessed how many species call our area home.
Continue reading “Black cockatoos in the Crows Nest area”Tawny frogmouth – Podargus strigoides
I am convinced Tawny frogmouths are one of our most popular birds. Whenever I mention them to anyone, they always receive some kind of adoring response. But let’s get one thing clear right from the outset: they are not owls.
Continue reading “Tawny frogmouth – Podargus strigoides”Glossy black-cockatoo – Calyptorhynchus lathami
If you think your wife/husband/mother-in-law/three year old is picky, then hold my beer while introduce you to Glossy Black-cockatoos.
Continue reading “Glossy black-cockatoo – Calyptorhynchus lathami”Silver gull – Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
On a recent work trip to Sydney I was intrigued by the sight of a Silver gull wandering happily along one of the main roads in the CBD, about a kilometre away from all of his friends down at Circular Quay.
Continue reading “Silver gull – Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae”Eastern Spinebill – Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
With their striking markings, long curved beak and habit of feeding on the wing, Eastern spinebills are one of the most memorable and sought after birds in the garden.
Continue reading “Eastern Spinebill – Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris”Australian brush-turkey – Alectura lathami
Australia has three species of mound-building birds, and by far the most well-known and widely distributed is the Australian brush-turkey.
Continue reading “Australian brush-turkey – Alectura lathami”Yellow-tailed black cockatoo – Zanda funerea
Yellow-tailed black cockatoos are reasonably common along certain sections of the range and always leave a lasting impression in anyone who sees them, because of their sheer size.
Continue reading “Yellow-tailed black cockatoo – Zanda funerea”