Common Blackbird in the Adelaide Hills

Common Blackbird in the Adelaide Hills

While visiting the Laratinga Wetlands in the Adelaide Hills recently I captured some good photos of a male Common Blackbird. It was foraging in the leaf litter on the side of one of the walking trails through the wetlands area.

Common Blackbirds are a common species in Europe and were introduced many years ago to parts of Australia. Since then they have spread widely and have established populations in most southern and eastern towns and cities here. In many places they are regarded as a pest species. On the other hand, many people enjoy hearing their beautiful song, especially in the spring and summer evenings.

You can see more bird photos on my other site Trevor's Birding here.

Black-fronted Dotterel, Adelaide Hills

Black-fronted Dotterel 

 

 

 

 

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Last week on my way home from Adelaide I had a few hours to spare and so I called into the Laratinga Wetlands near Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills here in South Australia.

These wetlands are a classic example of how to effectively treat effluent waste and turn it into a tourist attraction. The lovely picnic area is a delight and is very popular. The main walking and cycling trail is constantly in use by locals and visitors, and the bird life is an added attraction.

What is more - there is no nasty smell. In fact, the waste water is recycled and used in nearby orchards. Win, win, win.

The bird featured today was feeding quietly in a swampy area just off one of the walking trails. Black-fronted Dotterels are found in many parts of Australia where there is suitable habitat. They are generally only absent from the driest parts of the continent.

To see more photos of Australian birds click here.

Sacred Kingfisher

Sacred Kingfisher in our garden

A few mornings ago we were enjoying breakfast in our sun room. I was struggling over the crossword puzzle until my wife excitedly pointed out that we had an unusual visitor in the garden just a few metres from where we sat. It was a Sacred Kingfisher as shown in the photo.

I quickly ran for the camera - yes, I can still run at my age - and managed about 40 photos before our visitor flew off. While it stayed it was constantly watching the ground for breakfast. Every minute or so it would dive to ground and gobble up some fine delicacy.

Although we have seen this species on a few occasions in our garden, it has been a few years since the last visit and this is the closest we have been to one. This set of photos is also the best I have taken of this species.

You can read more and see more photos on my other site called Trevor's Birding here.

Restless Flycatcher

Restless Flycatcher

One my favourite birds here in Australia is the Restless Flycatcher. In appearance and behaviour it is similar to the Willie Wagtail (click to view). In fact, the two species are often found in the same locality, sometimes feeding on insects only a few metres from each other.

My wife also loves this species and she calls it the "Scissors Grinder" bird because its call in somewhat like a scissors noise. Many other birders also call it by this name. It is widespread throughout much of Australia except in the drier, warmer inland regions.

This bird was photographed in the Barmah Forest in northern Victoria.

You can read about and see more photos of Australian birds on my other site Trevor's Birding here.

Australian Brown Treecreeper

Brown Treecreeper

Australia has many small bush birds. Included in this vast array of smaller birds are the family known as treecreepers. One of the common species in this family is the Brown treecreeper, shown in today's photo. This species is quite common in the eastern half of the continent.

They forage on the ground for insects, beetles and worms, digging through the leaf litter. They will also clamber over logs and fallen branches, as well as creeping up and down tree trunks and limbs, lifting bark looking for insects and spiders.

The individual in today's photo was quite tame, approaching to within a few metres of where we were eating our picnic lunch in the Barmah Forest in northern Victoria.

You can see more of my bird photos of Australian birds on my other site Trevor's Birding here.

The Australian Galah

Galah

 

Many experts call Australia the Land of Parrots. There is even a DVD of the same name about our vast range of beautiful parrots. They are in abundance throughout all habitats in this country. Possibly the most recognisable of all our parrots is the Galah. They are common throughout Australia, often occurring in flocks numbering up to 1000s, especially in the cereal growing rural areas. They are also a popular pet and can be taught to say a dozen or more words.

You can see more photos of our beautiful parrots - and many other Australian birds on my other site Trevor's Birding here.

Australian Sulphur Crested Cockatoos

Sulphur Crested Cockatoos in Australia

Australia is rightly called the Land of Parrots. We have a huge range of parrots, nearly all of them very colourful and much sort after by bird lovers and aviculturalists around the world. One of these spectacular parrot species is the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, a primarily white parrot with a stunning yellow crest. In a flock of many dozens these raucous birds can create an ear-splitting noise as they fly over. A flock of hundreds is something else again!

To see more photos of Australian birds go to my other site, Trevor's Birding here.

White Storks in Morocco

White Stork in Morocco

Now for something a little different.
Normally I do not feature the birds of other countries here, but today I make an exception.
Several years ago my wife, daughter and I had the delight to travel through Morocco for a few weeks. This was primarily a holiday focussing on the cultural heritage sites of this amazing country. Whenever I had a chance, however, I looked out for birding photographic opportunities.
One of the species I encountered often was the White Stork, shown in today's photo.

You can see more of my bird photos on another of my sites, Trevor's Birding here.

Royal Spoonbill in the Adelaide Zoo

Royal Spoonbill in the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

I love seeing spoonbills in their natural habitat. Ever since I saw my first one in the far north of South Australia in about 1978 I have enjoyed seeing both the Yellow-billed Spoonbill, and the Royal Spoonbill shown in today's photo.  Both are relatively common and widespread throughout much of Australia where there is suitable habitat.

We don't have many of either species near where I live in South Australia despite there being suitable environments for them. So whenever I visit the Adelaide Zoo I look for them in the walk through aviary.

You can read more about Australian birds and see more of my photos on my other site, Trevor's Birding, one of the most popular bird sites in the world.

Pied Heron in the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

Pied Heron in the Adelaide Zoo

Because I am a life member of my local zoo I try to visit the Adelaide Zoo several times a year. It is about an hour's easy drive from home. Another section of the zoo is at Monarto, a quick ten minute drive from home. Yes, we have open range lions as our near neighbours. Fortunately, they are well fenced.

One of the features of the Adelaide section of the zoo is the walk through aviary. This affords me with great photographic opportunities. Today I have posted two shots of a Pied Heron, a bird of the northern parts of Australia.

For more information about Australian birds, and many more photos of them, go to my other site, Trevor's Birding.

Pied Heron

Sun Conure in Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

Sun Conure in Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

I don't normally feature non-Australian birds here on this site because its aim is to show photos of birds found in Australia. However, I couldn't resist showing this photo of a South American bird, the Sun Conure. I took the photo in the Adelaide Zoo in South Australia, an hour's drive from my home. I am a life member of the zoo so I visit often.

One of the most pleasing aspects of this photo is that I took it through the wire mesh of the aviary where this bird was kept.

You can read about Australian birds and see more of my bird photos on my other site called Trevor's Birding (click here).

The beautiful Eclectus Parrot of Australia

Male Eclectus Parrot of northern Australia

The Eclectus Parrots of northern Australia are one of our most colourful parrots. In fact, one of our most spectacular birds, period. Both the male and the female are brightly coloured as you can see in the photos on today's post.

This is one species I would love to see in its natural habitat, but because I haven't yet visited the far northern parts of Queensland, this is still a dream.

In the meantime, I have to be content with these photos of the beautiful birds kept in a walk through aviary in the Adelaide Zoo here in South Australia.

You can see more photos of birds and read more about our Australian birds by visiting my other site, Trevor's Birding here.

Female Eclectus Parrot in Adelaide Zoo

Beautiful Australian Lorikeets

Red-collared Lorikeets, Adelaide Zoo, South Australia

One of my favourite places to visit is my local zoo in Adelaide, South Australia. The zoo has an excellent collection of birds, both Australian and exotic. There are also several walk through aviaries where the visitor can get up really close to the birds.

The photo of Red-collared Lorikeets was taken in one of the walk through aviaries. I had accidentally timed my visit to coincide with one of the keepers coming to feed the birds. I had "captive" subjects for my camera (in two senses).

Red-collared Lorikeets are a race of the more common Rainbow Lorikeet and are found in northern parts of our continent.

To see more photos of birds and to read more about Australia go to my other site Trevor's Birding.

Australian Red-rumped Parrot

Red-rumped parrot

The Australian Red-rumped Parrot is a common bird around my district here in rural South Australia. The bird shown in today's photo is a male; the female is not quite as colourful. Unfortunately, this photo does not show the bright red feathers which give this species its name.

This photo was taken at the Riverglades Wetlands area near Murray Bridge, South Australia.

You can see more photos and read more about Australian birds on Trevor's Birding here.

Australian Pelicans

I took this photo of three beautiful Australian Pelicans while on holiday in Mallacoota, Victoria.

This photo, along with many more of my bird photos, can be purchased on a wide range of merchandise items. Click here to go to Trevor's Photo site.

Budgerigars

The Budgerigar is one of Australia's beautiful parrots. They are essentially a dryland bird of the outback, but when conditions are right after good rain, this species breeds quickly in huge numbers. They can form flocks numbering in the hundreds and sometimes in the thousands. A truly spectacular sight.

The Budgerigar is also a well-loved pet bird, possibly the most popular cage bird in the world.

This photo, along with many more of my bird photos, can now be bought through my shop. You can get this photo on coffee mugs - and soon on many other items. Click here to view the range of items available.