Australian White Ibis

Threskiornis moluccus

 

Appearance:

Large ibis

White plumage 

Bald, black head and neck

Black tail feathers

Long, black, down-curved bill

Black legs 

Immature:

     Similar to adult 

     Neck covered with black feathers 

During my time in Melbourne, I was lucky enough to make contact with a fellow from BirdLife Melbourne. On my last day there, he took me to the Water Treatment Plant in Werribe. The many lagoons and wetlands there make it a haven for waders and waterbirds. 

These odd looking birds were some of the first birds we encountered upon entering the limited access area.  I snapped pictures of them while leaning out the window of our vehicle as they nonchalantly strolled along the dirt road in front of us.

Learn more about the Australian White Ibis.

Welcome Swallow

Hirundo hahitica neoxena

Appearance:
Metallic blue-black upperparts
Light grey breast and belly
Rusty forehead, throat and upper breast
Long forked tail with white spots on the individual feathers

Learn more about the Welcome Sparrow.

Tasmania Native-hen

Tribonyx mortierii

Appearance:
Stocky, flightless bird between 17 and 20 inches in length
Brown head, back and wings
Slate grey underparts
White patch on the flank
Short, black tail mostly held erect
Thick, powerful legs, with a grey scaly appearance
Sharp claw
Bright red eyes
Large yellow bill

The Tasmanian Native-hen 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 Tasmanian Native-hen.

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.