Trevor's Birding

Mallee Ringneck Parrots

20 Comments »12th April, 2006; Category: Birds, Garden birds, Parrots and Lorikeets, Photos

Over recent days I’ve been aware of several Mallee Ringneck parrots getting around in our garden. The Mallee Ringneck is one of the sub-species of the Australian Ringneck. I’ve heard them calling quite a deal over recent times and have seen them on a few occasions as the glide their way through the mallee trees in our garden.

Mallee Ringneck Parrot

Breeding

On several occasions we have observed a pair being pursued by two or three juveniles, so they must have bred somewhere nearby. Earlier this week I saw two of them investigate a hollow in one of the old mallee trees near our garage. I have seen them inspecting this potential nesting hollow on other occasions with no result, so I won’t be holding my breath this time either.

Birdbath

Today two Mallee Ringnecks came down to the birdbath while we were having lunch. Even though they have visited the birdbath before – assuming it is the same individuals – they were still very cautious. They both carefully sidled along a nearby branch before settling on the rim of the water container and having a drink. No bathing today and they only stayed long enough for a drink. This meant I was only able to take several photos before they flew off.

UPDATE:

The correct name for our ringnecks is the Australian Ringneck, but there are several distinct sub-species. The one in Western Australia is variously called the Port Lincoln Parrot, Western Ringneck or the Twenty-Eight Parrot (its call sounds like it is saying 28, 28). It has a much darker head than the eastern variations. The main sub-species in S.A., Victoria and N.S.W. is the Mallee Ringneck and there is another variation in Queensland known locally as the Cloncurry Ringneck.

These days they are regarded as one species; the fact that they are able to interbreed naturally with fertile offspring is the determining factor.

It is great to have such a beautiful bird in the garden.

For another article about this species click on this link

http://www.trevorsbirding.com/so-thats-whos-been-eating-my-flowers/

This article updated on 7th October 2015.

Spotted Pardalotes

13 Comments »11th April, 2006; Category: Birds, Garden birds, Honeyeaters, Murray Bridge, Pardalotes

While working in the garden yesterday I was aware of several Spotted Pardalotes (Pardalotus punctatus) in the mallee trees near me. It is always a delight to hear their “pip pip” calls all around us. They are a resident, breeding species in our garden here in Murray Bridge, South Australia. Sometimes their calls are like the squeaking of a rusty gate, so my wife refers to them as the “Squeaky Gate Pardalote.” A subspecies (xanthopygus) is the Yellow Rumped Pardalote. Their rump is a really bright yellow! This subspecies is also present in this area.

Spotted Pardalote with nesting material in beak

Distribution and Breeding

The Spotted Pardalote is found in suitable habitat throughout southern and eastern Australia. These habitats include woodlands, gardens, parks, scrubs, forests and mallee. I have recorded it breeding in our garden, both in a burrow in the sand and in the hollow of a tree. They have also been known to nest in the gaps of brickwork.
Close encounter

One individual I saw yesterday was in the branches just above where I was doing some weeding. He came down closer and closer to me as I made soft kissing noises trying to attract his attention. Eventually he was within a metre of my head – of course I didn’t have my camera with me! Both of us received a sudden jolt when a honeyeater – presumably a New Holland Honeyeater – came rocketing past, snapping its beak at the pardalote who retreated rapidly into the foliage of a nearby tree.

Striated Pardalote

The other species of Pardalote resident in our garden is the Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus).

Brown Headed Honeyeaters

No Comments »10th April, 2006; Category: Birds, General, Honeyeaters, Murray Bridge, Photos

While we were having lunch today a flock of about 7 Brown Headed Honeyeaters came to our bird bath for a drink. They stayed long enough for a drink but didn’t attempt to bathe. I was quick enough to get the camera out and get a few photos. This is the first time I have been successful photographing this species.

Brown-headed Honeyeater

Birds in Backyards

No Comments »9th April, 2006; Category: Birds, General, Photos

This evening I discovered a really useful and interesting website called Birds in Backyards. I had heard about this program before but I can’t recall visiting their website before.

Bird ID

One useful aspect of the site is the bird identification help called a “Bird Finder”. It prompts you to answer several simple questions about the bird you saw and then shows you the bird and gives heaps of information about the bird, its distribution, habitat and even includes an MP3 file which plays the call of the bird. It’s really neat.

Bird Records

The web site enables you to submit your bird records from your own backyard. The form is easy to fill out and takes only several minutes for each survey. Surveys can be daily (over a 20 minute period), weekly or yearly. Drop down menus make selection easy. It’s a really user friendly site. One has to become a member first, but joining takes only a minute or two and is free.
Aims of the Program

The following is quoted from the site itself:

Birds in Backyards is a research, education and conservation program focusing on birds and the urban environment. The program was developed in response to the reduction of bird species living in built up areas, the rapid expansion of these areas and the consequent loss of habitat. Initially a Birds Australia program, Birds in Backyards became a program of both Birds Australia and the Australian Museum in February 2005, when a partnership was formed.

To visit the web site click here.

Orange Bellied Parrot

3 Comments »9th April, 2006; Category: Birds, General, Parrots and Lorikeets

I have never seen an Orange Bellied Parrot.

This is despite their range extending to quite close to where I live. The reason is simple; this species is critically endangered and only about 180 individuals exist. Add to that their migratory habits – they only spend a few months each year in our area. They are found during the cooler months (April – September) along the south east coast of South Australia from the Coorong to the Victorian south coast. In the warmer months (October – March) they migrate to breed in Tasmania.

Special Protection

This species has received plenty of special attention over recent years. Attempts have been made to protect its habitat, especially their breeding grounds. Another landmark decision occurred this week when a proposal for a wind farm in Victoria was rejected.

To read more click here.

To read more about this beautiful bird and to see photos of it go to the Birds Australia site (click here).Ã‚Â