Yellow Wattlebird

Anthochaera paradoxa

Appearance:
Large honeyeater
Grey-brown plumage streaked with white
Long, yellow wattles hanging from cheeks
Dark wings
Yellow belly
Short, strong, dark bill

Although the Yellow Wattlebird is supposedly common in Tasmania, I only saw one once, on Maria Island.  And believe me, if I'd encountered another one I couldn't have mistaken it for anything else.  It was one of the oddest birds I've ever seen.

The Yellow Wattlebird is one of twelve species of birds that are endemic to Tasmania.  This means they are found nowhere else on earth.

Learn more about the Yellow Wattlebird.

Grey Fantail

Rhipidura albiscapa

Appearance:
Small bird, half of which is tail
Dark grey above
Light underside
White throat
White markings over eye
White-edged tail feathers

I saw this little bird flitting from twig to twig and from tree to tree while I was visiting the Port Arthur Historic Site yesterday.  I had a heck of a time getting a shot of it though, as it never stayed still for a moment.

Learn more about the Grey Fantail.

Eastern Spinebill

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris

Adult - Port Arthur, Tasmania

Appearance:
Long, fine, black,  down-curved bill
White outer tail feathers
Male:
     Black head, which extends in a line around breast
     White throat and breast, with rufous patch in centre
     Pale cinnamon to buff underparts
     Rufous-red nape
     Grey-brown back and wings
     Dark tail
     Red eye
 Female and Juvenile:
     Duller, with less distinct markings

As we were preparing to leave our rental cottage this morning, this striking bird flew past the car. Luckily there was a flowering bush next to the driveway where it decided to stop for a meal.  So, I quickly grabbed my camera and started clicking away, leaving my husband to finish packing.  Thankfully, he's used to my bird obsession and didn't get (too) annoyed with me.

Juvenile - Ripponlea Garden, Melbourne

Learn more about the Eastern Spinebill. 

Noisy Miner

Manorina melanocephala leachi

Appearance:

Grey bird

Black crown and cheeks

Orange-yellow bill and legs

Yellow panel in wings

Yellow patch behind eyes

White tips on tail feathers

This is another of the birds that I saw while at Bonorong.  It was pecking at a picture of itself on the wall, quite violently at times.  I'm not sure whether it was showing affection for the 'other bird' or trying to challenge it, as I've read that they are aggressive birds that often peck at and chase intruders.

 

Learn more about the Noisy Miner.

Eastern Rosella

Platycercus eximius

Appearance:
Medium-sized parrot
White cheeks
Red head, neck and breast
Black back, each feather broadly edged yellowish-green
Bright blue shoulders
Yellow belly
Blue-green to yellow-green lower abdomen and rump
Red undertail
Off-white bill
Female:
      Slightly duller overall
Juvenile:
     Duller overall
    Yellow-orange bill

This bird and his 'friends' were feeding on the ground yesterday at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary.  Like us, they were just visiting.  However, this family of wallabies were residents at the centre.  (I know they aren't birds but I couldn't resist including them.  The little joey is so cute!)

Learn more about the Eastern Rosella.

Black Currawong

Strepera fuliginosa

Appearance:
Large black bill
Black plumage
White tipped wings and tail
Yellow eyes
Black legs

When I initially saw these birds, I automatically thought of ravens. Their large size and black plumage certainly are raven-like. However, a few things gave them away.  First was the white on their tails and wings, and second was the yellow eyes.  And finally, their call is much less grating than a raven's, whose call really is quite comical.

The Black Currawong is one of twelve species of birds that are endemic to Tasmania. This means  they are found nowhere else on earth.

Learn more about the Black Currawong.

Scarlet Robin

Petroica multicolor

male

 Appearance:
Small, plump bird
Medium-sized robin
White forehead
Male:
     Black head, neck and upperparts
     Scarlet breast
     Whitish lower underparts
     White wing bars and outer tail feathers
Female:
     Brown upperparts and wings
     Orange-red wash on breast
     White lower underparts

female

We are currently staying at a delightful cottage outside of Port Arthur on the Tasman Peninsula. The property is alive with birds (and wallabies), including these little ones who seem to have taken up permanent residence in the front bushes.

Learn more about the Scarlet Robin.