Australia Day birds

Male Emu and chicks

Today is Australia Day, a time where we celebrate the European settlement of this great land of ours. In a simple way I want to celebrate the day by showing some well-known and well-loved Australian birds.

The photos featured today include:

• Emu (above) - the male Emu hatches the eggs and cares for the chicks for up to 18 months.
• Galah (below) - probably our best known parrot, and a favourite as a pet.
• Australian Magpie (below) - a common bird in gardens, parks and in rural landscapes.
• Laughing Kookaburra (below) - the call of the Kookaburra is known throughout the land and is iconic of the Australian bush - and increasingly suburbia as well.

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

Australian Magpie, Laratinga Wetlands

Male Australian Magpie, Laratinga Wetlands

The Laratinga Wetlands do not just make a good environment for a large number of waterbirds. The habitat surrounding the various ponds is very suitable for a range of other species, including many honeyeaters, pigeons, parrots, fairy-wrens, corvids (eg ravens), swallows, woodswallows and the ubiquitous Australian Magpie as shown in today's photos.

The area around the ponds has a natural creek bed with associated eucalypt forest trees as well as a range of smaller shrubs such as acacias (wattles). The walking tracks around the ponds have been planted up with many other local native plants species as well, making the whole area very attractive.

The Australian Magpie, one of the bird species commonly encountered in such environments, is right at home in such a habitat. The vegetation provides an ample food supply, a ready supply of nesting materials and plenty of places to build their nests. The photo above shows a male in full breeding plumage, while the one below shows one with something in its beak - perhaps a worm or a caterpillar.

The final photo shows the picnic area next to the wetlands. Laratinga Wetlands are near Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia, about a half hour drive from Adelaide.

For more photos of and articles about Australian birds, visit my other site Trevor's Birding.

Australian Magpie (male)

Barbecue and picnic area, Laratinga Wetlands

Australian Magpie Lark

The Australian Magpie Lark is a common bird in many parts of Australia. It is smaller than the Australian Magpie and often lives in close association with magpies. It is somewhat unusual in that it builds a mud nest in the shape of a small bowl. It can be found in many different habitats but especially prefers sports ovals, parks and gardens.

For more information about Australia birds check our Trevor's Birding here.

Pied Butcherbirds

To untrained eyes the Pied Butcherbird may appear to be a smaller version of our well known Australian Magpie. They are closely related and share similar wonderful singing skills. The melodious call of the Pied Butcherbird is not easily forgotten, filling the Australian bush with its rich calls.

Butcherbirds get their name from their habit of raiding the nests of other birds for nestlings, then attaching the poor baby birds to twigs or in the fork of branches like they are hanging them up in their butcher shop. This habit helps them to pull off bits to eat. They will also eat a range of insects.

For more information about Australian Birds click here. 

Grey Butcherbird

Grey Butcherbirds are closely related to the much larger Australian Magpie. Like magpies they are beautiful song birds. Every few days one or two will visit our garden and then fill the air with their beautiful, rich, melodious song. Their presence usually sends all of the smaller birds, such as the honeyeaters, scurrying for cover. Butcherbirds regularly raid the nests of other birds for eggs or nestlings.
For more information about Australian birds click here.

Australian Magpies

Australian Magpies are common throughout must of Australia. There are several well recognised races or sub species, including the Western Magpie, the White-backed Magpie and the Black-backed Magpie.

Australian Magpies are beautiful song birds and many people love hearing their warbling and carolling calls. Some people dislike this species during the breeding season. The male will valiantly defend the nest by swooping anyone who dares to come near. Their sharp beak can inflict a nasty wound, often drawing blood.

You can read more about Australian birds here

The above photo is a male while the one below is a juvenile begging to be fed.

.

Magging with Magpies

Australian Magpie

Corinne and I were sitting outside enjoying the lovely spring weather while we ate our lunch. Bright cloudless sky, gentle breeze and about 20C. It doesn't get much better than this. Someone has to be out there watching our wonderful Australian birds.

Our local Australian Magpies are currently nesting. They refurbished the nest they used last year. In so many parts of Australia we would be cautious about going anywhere near an occupied nest for fear of being swooped. We are very pleased that "our" magpies have always been very friendly. In over 20 years of living here I've only ever been swooped once; that was my fault for attempting to imitate a magpie's call. (I must have used a swear word or some other indelicate phrase.)

Australian Magpie

Australian Magpie

I have been frustrated in recent weeks about not being able to get any really decent photos of the local magpies. They did not present any good opportunities for good shots - until lunch today. I included several of the shots taken today.

Read more about Australian Birds here.