Australian Pelican The Australian pelican is a very large waterbird, unmistakeable in appearance, and is the only pelican in the Australia. Despite their sometimes-comical manoeuvres, with their large bills and distensible pouches, pelicans are majestic birds whether soaring high overhead, coming into land on the water with legs extended like a water skier, or swimming in convoys on the water. Every art show or photo exhibition along the coast testifies to their popularity with the public, and their inspiration to the artistic. Australian Pelicans mainly feed on fish but will also take… Continue reading
Australasian Bittern Bitterns are secretive and superbly camouflaged, and so often remain undetected in their preferred habitat of reeds and rushes. They give themselves away, though, by deep, resonant booms uttered two or three times at 1-2 second intervals. Australasian Bitterns are rare and rated as ENDANGERED in Australia. Australian Bitterns prey on a wide variety of aquatic animals – fish, crayfish, amphibians (particularly frogs), crustaceans, snails, insects and other arthropods, small mammals (rats and mice) and even birds such as silvereyes (Zosterops). They forage by standing still, or quietly stalking, and… Continue reading
Black Swan Black Swans are an iconic Australian bird, the symbol of Western Australia, but common throughout the southern half of the continent. Black Swans are almost entirely vegetarian, feeding on the leaves and shoots of various aquatic plants (Typha, Potamogeton, Myriophyllum, Ruppia), algae and pondweeds, and pasture grasses. Small animals may be taken accidentally. Food is taken by reaching underwater with its long neck, dabbling on the surface and upending. They may also be seen grazing on the banks of wetlands. Breeding occurs when water levels are… Continue reading
Chestnut Teal The male Chestnut Teal in breeding dress is one of our most handsome waterfowl, particularly when the sun shines on his iridescent, bottle-green head. Feeds by dabbling, upending and mud filtering in very shallow water. Like Grey Teal probably feeds on seeds and vegetation of shoreline vegetation, and small aquatic invertebrates. Breeding is in spring and early summer (as late as January on the Coorong). Nests on the ground amidst vegetation or in natural cavities such as tree hollows. Monogamous and probably forms life-long pair-bonds. If conditions favourable… Continue reading
Cape Barren Goose While differing in detail from northern hemisphere geese, Cape Barren Geese are similar in size and appearance and like them graze on fields and pastures adjacent to water. At one time they were heavily hunted and there was concern for their future, but now they are fully protected. Cape Barren Geese graze on a range of plants including agricultural pastures and native succulents. The birds roost on the margins of dams, swamps and lakes and lagoons, whether fresh or brackish. During the non-breeding season, they form small flocks usually less… Continue reading
Australasian Shoveler The worldwide genus Spatula contains ten species, four of which have large, spatulate bills and a low sloping forehead, and are known as “shovelers”. The male Australasian Shoveler is arguably the most handsome of these. Well, as handsome as you can be with a low sloping forehead and a large snozz. Shovelers live on small aquatic invertebrates such as insects, molluscs and crustaceans ,and also parts of aquatic plants. They use their spatulate beak to filter water and mud obtained by dabbling on the surface or at the water’s edge…. Continue reading
Musk Duck An unusual and uncommon species, closely related to the stifftail ducks (e.g. Blue-billed duck). A heavy bodied duck which sits low in the water. The male is very noticeable when displaying (see photo above). The tail is held upright, the neck bent to show the remarkable circular wattle under the chin, and there is much splashing, and kicking of the feet to give a “ker-plonk” sound sometimes accompanied by a whistle. Musk ducks favour deep water where they dive for crustaceans, aquatic insects, fish, and amphibians, together with a small… Continue reading
Blue-billed Duck Blue-billed ducks belong to the genus Oxyura, the stiff-tailed ducks. The stiff upright tail feathers of the male are distinctive enabling the birds to be identified from a long way off. These tail feathers also demonstrate the Blue-bill’s close relationship to the Musk Duck. Blue-bills feed on aquatic plants and insects, also molluscs, crustaceans and arachnids. They obtain most of their food by diving and by swimming under water. They spend little time on land. Breeding occurs mainly in spring and summer, marked by a spectacular display by the male…. Continue reading