Trevor's Birding

Royal Spoonbill, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

1 Comment »26th May, 2010; Category: Darters and Cormorants, Spoonbills, Waterbirds, Zoos

Royal Spoonbill, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

Royal Spoonbills are found throughout much of Australia where there is suitable habitat. They are absent from the drier inland areas and are rare in southern Western Australia. They are sometimes seen in the company of our other species of spoonbill, the Yellow-billed Spoonbill.

Their preferred habitat includes shallow waters, both coastal and inland, estuaries, edges of lakes, dams and wetlands, tidal mudflats and irrigated pastures. Their nest is a shallow platform of sticks, often over water and often in association with other waterbirds such as cormorants. During breeding the adults have a conspicuous plume of white feathers on the back of the head.

The photo above was taken in a walk through aviary at the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia.

Further reading:

Straw-necked Ibis, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

1 Comment »24th May, 2010; Category: Aviaries, Ibises, Murray Bridge, Non-Australian birds, Photos, Waterbirds, Zoos

Straw-necked Ibis, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

The Straw-necked Ibis is a very common bird in the Murray Bridge district of South Australia where I live. I have seen flocks numbering in the hundreds flying overhead, and sometimes smaller flocks land to feed in the open paddock opposite our home. On the odd occasion a few will even land on our five acre block.

It is strange then that I did not have a good close-up photo of this species to show here – until last week when I visited Adelaide Zoo and got the above shot in the walk-through aviary. That’s bird photography for you. I have photos of species I never expected to get, and none of some common species. [Sigh]

The Straw-necked Ibis is a widespread species in northern and eastern Australia and is expanding its range in Western Australia and Tasmania. Within its range it is found in freshwater and saline wetlands, tidal mudflats and swamps. It has adapted to life in pastures and other irrigated areas, lawns, ovals, public parks and gardens.

Pied Heron, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

2 Comments »22nd May, 2010; Category: Aviaries, Herons and Egrets, Waterbirds, Zoos

Pied Heron, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

Pied Herons are found in coastal and sub-coastal northern Australia. Their range also extends to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Occasionally they can be found further south. So far I have yet to add this species to my list of birds seen. The individual shown in these photos is on exhibit in the walk through aviary at the Adelaide Zoo.

Pied Herons can be found in wetlands, lakes, lagoons, estuaries, mudflats and sewage farms. It is easily confused with the White-necked Heron but is much smaller, and has dark feathers covering the head which is white in the White-necked Heron.

Pied Heron, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

White-eyed Duck, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

No Comments »20th May, 2010; Category: Ducks Geese and Swans, Waterbirds, Zoos

Hardhead (White-eyed Duck), Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

The White-eyed Duck is also known as the Hardhead. I’m not sure why. If any reader can enlighten me, please do so via the comments.

White-eyed Ducks are found throughout Australia where suitable habitat exists. Their preferred habitats include permanent wetlands, lakes, reservoirs, dams and sewage ponds. They easily move around the country in response to either drought or abundant rain.

I’ve only managed to see this species in the wild state on a handful of occasions. The photo above was taken of a captive bird in one of the enclosures at the Adelaide Zoo.

Bush Stone-curlew, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

16 Comments »18th May, 2010; Category: Bird Behaviour, Zoos

Bush Stone-curlew, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

I find the Bush Stone-curlew to be a fascinating bird. It seems so ungainly on its long legs, yet to see it run one has to conclude that it is very graceful in its movements.

While it tends to be a bird of the grasslands and open woodlands of rural western , northern, eastern and south eastern Australia, it has adapted to a more artificial lifestyle in urban areas, especially in Queensland.

Another intriguing aspect of this bird’s behaviour is its haunting call. The eerie ‘weee-ooo’ call carries far into the night – it usually calls at night – and is a well known sound of the Australian bush. To hear a recording of the call click here.

Sadly, I have yet to add this species to my list of birds seen in their natural environment.

The photos on this post were taken at the Adelaide Zoo.

Bush Stone-curlew, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia