Long-billed Corellas are mainly to be found in the south-east of South Australia and western Victoria. At first their populations suffered severely after European settlement from human persecution, the changes in the environment following the establishment of agriculture, and from the loss of habitat caused by the invasion by rabbits. However, more recent changes in agricultural practices which favoured the spread of onion grass, and control of rabbit numbers by myxomatosis have allowed their numbers to build up again. The major long-term threat is a lack of tree hollows for…

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The two small grebes found in South Australia are an interesting example of two similar species using different habitat types to reduce competition. The Australasian Grebe prefers small freshwater bodies, feeds mainly on fish, keeps close to the shore and seldom forms large flocks. The Hoary-headed Grebe tolerates both fresh and brackish waters, likes large bodies of water and spends much time in the middle where it feeds mainly on invertebrates. It often gathers in large flocks. The Australasian Grebe feeds mainly on fish which it pursues underwater after diving,…

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Malleefowl are omnivorous. They feed on all parts of plants – buds, flowers, fruit and, particularly seeds. Grain from nearby crops are an important food item in areas bordering cultivated lands. They also take fungi and invertebrates. Insects are apparently not searched for, but are taken whenever they are encountered. Insects are an important component of the diet of hatchlings. Mound building can start between March and May, but more usually in the winter months between June and August, with laying from mid-September to March-April. Generally monogamous with a strong…

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Darters swim low in the water and their long, sinuous neck is very snake-like, hence the common name of ‘snake bird’. One of the most entertaining sights along the river is to watch a darter, after it has captured its prey by spearing it, juggle to turn the fish around and swallow it head-first without hands to help. It usually succeeds! Like cormorants they spend a long time with their wings spread out to dry. Darters feed mainly on fish, but also take amphibians, water snakes, terrapins and aquatic invertebrates….

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Night Herons are gregarious birds. During the day they congregate in large groups in the canopies of trees from which they fly out at dusk giving sporadic croaks, to forage until dawn. Nankeen Night Herons have a catholic diet. They eat fish, a variety of small vertebrates (amphibians, chicks and eggs of other birds, small mammals such as mice, crustaceans, arthropods of various kinds particularly aquatic insects, and human rubbish. They tend to forage alone using passive techniques such as standing and walking slowly but are sometimes more active, capturing…

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The Australian Hobby is a dashing small falcon usually seen perched on tall trees but sometimes seen engaged in high-speed chases. They feed on small birds, bats and flying insects. They are very fast and can often be seen perched at the top of tall trees from which they swoop down onto their prey. Also hunt by high quartering or by low fast flight. Hunting may be done during the day, dawn or dusk and even by night where there is artificial light. Breeding occurs from August to January with…

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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….

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Every autumn the reed beds fall silent as the Australian Reed Warblers head north for the warmer climes of northern Australia, and every spring they burst into life with the return of the songsters. Each male defends his small patch of reeds from neighbouring males with complex songs issued at high volume, at the same time advertising his territory to any females who may be interested. They live on small insects, spiders and other invertebrates found by foraging in the dense undergrowth. Breeding is from September to February, whenever singing…

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Common Blackbirds are among the most successful of the various bird species introduced from Europe by acclimatisation societies in the 19th century. Birds released from Melbourne and Adelaide have spread over most of south-eastern Australia including Tasmania. While gardeners tend to dislike blackbirds because of the ‘mess’ resulting from their ground foraging habits, their beautiful songs have added much to our aural landscape. Common Blackbirds are ground foragers and favour a wide variety of natural and human generated landscapes where leaf litter is abundant and dense shrubs are available for…

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