Ellura Sanctuary, Swan Reach, SA, 5354
                      
  
Stat'NotesThumbnails: 1007.   167 native species listed, with 97 from Ellura
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves)
Waterfowls
Anseriformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Waterbird
Anatidae
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Chestnut Teal
Anas castanea
RA
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Imaged 1 in Oct
Male, In a zoo
Waterfowls
Anseriformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Waterbird
Anatidae
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Grey Teal
Anas gracilis


iNaturalist
LC
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Thank you Patrick Wake for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 4(2M,2F) in Jan(2:1M,1F) & Mar(2:1M,1F)
Standing
🔍Swimming
Waterfowls
Anseriformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Waterbird
Anatidae
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Pacific Black Duck
Anas superciliosa
Na
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It's very sad, but the Pacific Black Duck is becoming extinct.
The extinction process is via hybridisation with the introduced Mallard Duck. The Mallard is a more aggressive species, and so mates more readily than the native.
Imaged 8(2J) in Jun(1), Aug(3), Sep(1) & Oct(3:2J)
Ducklings, in water
Duckling, out of water
Profile, in water
🔍Anterior, in water
Bill Tip
Posterior, in water
White Underwing
Anterior, out of water
Green Secondary Feather
Head
Waterfowls
Anseriformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Waterbird
Anatidae
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
White-eyed Duck
Aythya australis
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Other Common NameHardhead

Imaged 2 in Oct
Male
Waterfowls
Anseriformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Waterbird
Anatidae
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Eastern Cape Barren Goose
Cereopsis novaehollandiae ssp novaehollandiae


iNaturalist
P-R
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Thank you Tim (twan3253) for confirming the id of this species for us

There were some 4-500 geese in this gaggle.
Imaged 6 in Apr
🔍Profile
🔍Face
🔍Pair
🔍A small Gaggle
Waterfowls
Anseriformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Waterbird
Anatidae
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Australian Wood Duck
Chenonetta jubata


iNaturalist
LC
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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 44(8M,3F) in Jan(8:5M), Jun(13), Jul(1F), Aug(4:2M,2F), Oct(1M) & Nov(17)
Male, On Land
Male, back
Male, In the Water
Female, In a Tree
Female, On Water
Female, Head
Pair
Flock in Flight
Waterfowls
Anseriformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Waterbird
Anatidae
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Black Swan
Cygnus atratus


iNaturalist
LC
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Thank you George Seagull & Zig (tropicbreeze) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 9(5J) in Jan(1), Mar(1), Aug(1) & Oct(6:5J)
Profile
🔍Posterior
Head, anterior
Head, profile
Defensive Behaviour
🔍Parent with Signets
Waterfowls
Anseriformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Waterbird
Anatidae
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Australian Shelduck
Tadorna tadornoides
LC
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These two were in captivity, in a zoo. We'll replace the images as soon as we photograph some in the wild.
Imaged 10(5M,5F) in Jan(3:1M,2F), Apr(5:3M,2F) & Oct(2:1M,1F)
Male (front) & Female (behind)
Owlet-nightjars
Apodiformes
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Owlet-nightjar
Aegothelidae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles cristatus


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameOwlet-nightjar

Thank you Brendan Duggan & BLawson for confirming the id of this species for us

Nests in hollows. Huge eyes. Lovely grey tones down the back with a buff circle around the eyes.
Imaged 6 in Jan(1), Feb(1), Mar(1) & Apr(3)
🔍Back, Rufous Morph
Closer Rufous Morph
Back, Rufous Morph
Head, Rufous Morph
Back, Grey Morph
Profile, Grey Morph
🔍Hiding in a Hollow
Nightbirds
Caprimulgiformes
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
Nightjar
Caprimulgidae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Spotted Nightjar
Eurostopodus argus


iNaturalist
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Thank you Brendan Duggan, Bradley W. Jones & Ollie Scully for confirming the id of this species for us

Nests on the ground. Uses camouflage for protection. Has very distinctive white stripes on the wings (both upper & lower).
When exploring Ellura, we were startled by a medium-large sized bird on the ground suddenly taking flight. In no time it was hundreds of metres away. A Brown Falcon then decided it was invading it's territory and started dive bombing it.
Yesterday (14 Jan 2015), a similar thing happened again. This time it kept landing on the ground. We followed it in circles for about 4 landings before loosing it. Couldn't get a photo, due to the bushes & trees. At one point it was right in front of us and probably could have taken a photo if we could see it. Its camouflage is amazing.
Yesterday (21 11 2021), while collecting Eucalypt specimens for id, Marie was started by a pair of adults lifting from the ground. When she was looking for them, she saw the little chick on the ground. We estimate it's only a day old, but may be older, we aren't sure; it's very exciting!
When we went to photograph it, the one sitting kept lifting but only going for a short distance. It was leading us away from the chick; staying a safe distance from us but also not hiding too much. We quickly turned and left them alone.
Imaged 5(1J) in Apr(1), Jul(1), Oct(1) & Nov(2:1J)
Video:
Spotted Nightjar at night, sound only (0.2Mb)
In Flight
In Flight
Attacked by a Brown Falcon
🔍Roosting, profile
Roosting, anterior
🔍Parent, profile
🔍Parent, Tail Feathers
🔍Parent, Close Up
🔍Parent, Camouflage
🔍Day Old Chick, profile
🔍Day Old Chick, anterior
Nightbirds
Caprimulgiformes
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
Frogmouth
Podargidae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Tawny Frogmouth
Podargus strigoides


iNaturalist
LC
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Thank you Alan Melville & Mark Apgar for confirming the id of this species for us

Strange bird. Looks like an upright branch stump in a tree. Motley brown.
Imaged 8(5J) in Mar(1), May(2) & Dec(5J)
Juveniles
🔍Camouflaged
Front
Profile
Head, right
Head, left, rotated
Foot
Eyes, open
Eyes Closing, as it feels threatened
🔍Eyes, just a slit
🔍At Night
Coastal Birds
Charadriiformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Thick-knees
Burhinidae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Bush Stone-curlew
Burhinus grallarius
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Other Common NameBush Thick-knee

Imaged 1 in Oct
In a zoo
Coastal Birds
Charadriiformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Plover
Charadriidae
  (2 species
    0 from Ellura)
Black-fronted Dotterel
Elseyornis melanops


iNaturalist
RA
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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Apr
Profile
Posterior
Coastal Birds
Charadriiformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Plover
Charadriidae
  (2 species
    0 from Ellura)
Banded Lapwing
Vanellus tricolor
NT
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Imaged 1 in Oct
In a zoo
Coastal Birds
Charadriiformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Gull
Laridae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Silver Gull
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NameSeagull

Thank you P Sweet for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 24(2J) in Jan(1), Feb(1), May(1) & Aug(21:2J)
Immature, profile
Immature, Head
Sub-Adult, Head
Sub-Adult, Underwing
Adult, In the Water
Adult, On Land
🔍Landing
🔍Hunting
Socialising with the Neighbours
Small FlockTaking Off
Catching a Fish
Catching a Fish
Catching a Fish
Catching a Fish
Catching a Fish
Catching a Fish
Coastal Birds
Charadriiformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Gull
Laridae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia


iNaturalist
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Thank you Geoffrey Cox for identifying this species for us

We originally thought this was a Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) but Geoffrey indicated they have a much smaller beak and that this species had a matching sized beak, as well as other diagnostics.
Imaged 1 in Nov
Coastal Birds
Charadriiformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Gull
Laridae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Pacific Gull
Larus pacificus


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameSeagull

Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in May
🔍Posterior
Coastal Birds
Charadriiformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Gull
Laridae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Crested Tern
Thalasseus bergii


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameGreat Crested Tern

Thank you Louis O'neill for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 9 in Mar
In Flight, underwing
In Flight
Resting, with Silver Gulls
Coastal Birds
Charadriiformes
  (8 species
    0 from Ellura)
Wader
Recurvirostridae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus
VU
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SynonymHimantopus leucocephalus

Other Common NamePied Stilt

Imaged 1 in Oct
Adult, in a zoo
Storks
Ciconiiformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Heron
Ardeidae
  (4 species
    1 from Ellura)
Eastern Great Egret
Ardea modesta


iNaturalist
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SynonymsArdea alba or Ardea alba ssp modesta

Thank you Fubberpish for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 4 in Aug(1) & Oct(3)
🔍Front
Back
Gape Line & Crick in neck
Squatting, Breeding Plumage starting
Feet
In Flight
Stand up Comedian
Storks
Ciconiiformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Heron
Ardeidae
  (4 species
    1 from Ellura)
White-necked Heron
Ardea pacifica


iNaturalist
RA
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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Oct
Anterior
🔍Posterior
Storks
Ciconiiformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Heron
Ardeidae
  (4 species
    1 from Ellura)
White-faced Heron
Egretta novaehollandiae


iNaturalist
NT
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Thank you Dianne Clarke for confirming the id of this species for us

Tall, long yellow legs, white face, grey feathers, black beak, long grey neck.
Immature birds can be differentiated from adults by their rufous breast and less distinct border of the white face.
Imaged 4(2J) in Jan(1), Apr(1J), Oct(1) & Nov(1J)
🔍Immature, Eye
🔍Immature, profile
🔍Immature, Wings
🔍Immature, anterior
🔍Immature, rear
Adult, in flight
🔍Adult, profile
Storks
Ciconiiformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Heron
Ardeidae
  (4 species
    1 from Ellura)
Nankeen Night-Heron
Nycticorax caledonicus


iNaturalist
EN
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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 3(1J) in Sep(1) & Oct(2:1J)
Juvenile, standing
Juvenile, on one leg
Juvenile, taking off
Adult
Storks
Ciconiiformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Ibis & Spoonbill
Threskiornithidae
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
Yellow-billed Spoonbill
Platalea flavipes


iNaturalist
EN
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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Sorry for the fuzzy pic's, but it was a LONG way away. On the flooded road into the Adelaide side of the Swan Reach Ferry (2023).
Imaged 1 in Jan
Anterior
Face Marking
Storks
Ciconiiformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Ibis & Spoonbill
Threskiornithidae
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
Royal Spoonbill
Platalea regia


iNaturalist
EN
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Thank you Jason Graham for confirming the id of this species for us

The two specimens here, photographed together, where different. We think the more orange eye brow was a male, as it had a larger bill, while the other was a female. Taken in November, they may have been coming out of breeding plummage?
Imaged 2(1M,1F) in Nov
Male, anterior
Male, profile, showing 'teeth'
Male, feeding
🔍Female
Storks
Ciconiiformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Ibis & Spoonbill
Threskiornithidae
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
Australian White Ibis
Threskiornis moluccus


iNaturalist
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SynonymThreskiornis molucca

Thank you Reiner Richter & Tim (twan3253) for confirming the id of this species for us

A large white bird with featherless head, which is black. Under the wing is a bare skin patch that goes bright red in breeding season. Here we show the non-breeding colour.
Imaged 3 in May(1), Jun(1) & Oct(1)
🔍In Flight
Underwing patch
Profile
Nesting
Doves and Pigeons
Columbiformes
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Dove and Pigeon
Columbidae
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Peaceful Dove
Geopelia striata ssp placida


iNaturalist
LC
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SynonymGeopelia placida

Thank you Petra Hanke for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 8(1M,1F) in Aug(4), Oct(2:1M,1F) & Dec(2)
Video:
Peaceful Dove (7Mb)
Profile
Back
Anterior
Large Feet
Doves and Pigeons
Columbiformes
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Dove and Pigeon
Columbidae
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Crested Pigeon
Ocyphaps lophotes


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameTopknot Pigeon

Thank you Alan Melville & Janet Whitington for confirming the id of this species for us

Timid, white and grey.
Imaged 9(3M,3F) in May(1), Jun(1), Sep(2:1M,1F), Oct(3:1M,1F) & Dec(2:1M,1F)
🔍Profile
Pair
🔍Pair in Courtship
🔍Pair in Courtship
🔍Pair in Courtship
🔍Pair in Courtship
Doves and Pigeons
Columbiformes
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Dove and Pigeon
Columbidae
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Bronzewing
Phaps chalcoptera


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameCommon Bronzewing

Thank you Janine Duffy for confirming the id of this species for us

Native pigeon. Bright, metallic green and bronze wing patterns.
Solid dull bronze underwing.
Clumsy / scatty.
The green and bronze reflections in the wings in these photos are not gender related. Purely the angle of the light.
The males have a chestnut cap and beautiful gentle chestnut tones on the chest; with a buff forehead. The females are much more grey (with a very faint chestnut tint on the breast), with a white streak above the eye; missing the chestnut cap & buff forehead.
Both genders have a white streak below the eye.
Imaged 15(10M,4F) in Feb(2M), Jul(2:1M,1F), Sep(2:1M,1F), Oct(5:3M,2F), Nov(2:1M) & Dec(2M)
Male Mating Call
Male Mating Call
Male Mating Call
Male Mating Call
Male, profile
🔍Male, anterior
Male, back
Male, Underwing
🔍Male, Head, profile
Male, Head, anterior
🔍Male, "Da Walk"
Female, profile
Female, anterior
Female, unusually brown
Pair
Doves and Pigeons
Columbiformes
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Dove and Pigeon
Columbidae
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Spotted Turtle-dove
Streptopelia chinensis


iNaturalist
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Thank you Thomas Mesaglio for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Nov
Doves and Pigeons
Columbiformes
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Dove and Pigeon
Columbidae
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Laughing Dove
Streptopelia senegalensis


iNaturalist
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SynonymSpilopelia senegalensis

Other Common NameStreptopelia

Thank you Thomas Mesaglio for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍Anterior
Kingfishers
Coraciiformes
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
Tree Kingfisher
Alcedinidae
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
Laughing Kookaburra
Dacelo novaeguineae


iNaturalist
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SynonymDacelo Gigas

Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us

What a joke! Big beak, white head & breast, blue wing to grey back.
Imaged 11(2M,2F,1J) in Jan(5:2M,2F,1J), Mar(1), Apr(1), May(1), Nov(2) & Dec(1)
Head
Colour
🔍Profile
🔍Profile
🔍Front
Back
Under wing
🔍Laughing
🔍Family
Kingfishers
Coraciiformes
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
Tree Kingfisher
Alcedinidae
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
Red-backed Kingfisher
Todiramphus pyrrhopygius


iNaturalist
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Thank you Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

Typical kingfisher with massive beak compared with its body. White breast, blue wings, red back.
Imaged 15 in Sep(3), Oct(10) & Nov(2)
Video:
2 calling to/against each other (possibly males) (2Mb)
Head
🔍Front
🔍Profile
Size Comparison with Dusky Woodswallow
Kingfishers
Coraciiformes
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
Tree Kingfisher
Alcedinidae
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
Sacred Kingfisher
Todiramphus sanctus


iNaturalist
NT
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Thank you Louis O'neill for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2 in Jan(1) & Mar(1)
Profile
Kingfishers
Coraciiformes
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
Bee-eater
Meropidae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Rainbow Bee-eater
Merops ornatus


iNaturalist
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Thank you Petra Hanke for confirming the id of this species for us

One of the most colourful birds that visit. Smallish. Black, yellow, blue, green and brown / chestnut.
Juveniles don't have the tail extension, while the female's is shorter than the male's.
They make their nest underground.
We've seen flocks of up to 12 bee-eaters, mostly juveniles, which has been a real treat for us.
While the adults have red eyes, the juveniles we've seen have black eyes.
They seem to ruffle their feathers, perhaps as some sort of defensive pose, or cooling? Or perhaps the bee gave him indigestion
There was no wind in the photo's with the ruffled feathers.
They look like woodswallows when in flight, but if the sun catches them, they are so beautiful with the chestnut under wing colours.
Imaged 25(4M,2F,6J) in Jan(14:2M,1F,2J), Feb(5:1M,3J), Mar(1J), Oct(3:1F), Nov(1M) & Dec(1)
Video:
Rainbow Bee-eaters calling and flying (3Mb)
Juvenile, Front
Juvenile, orientating bee
Juvenile, removing sting
🔍Immature, front & back
🔍Immature, head
Female, Front
Female, profile
Female, Back
Male, profile
Male, Back (Defensive?)
🔍Male, Back
🔍Male, Profile
🔍Male, Caught a Tau Emerald Dragonfly
Flock, 2 Adults, 5 Juveniles
Cuckoos
Cuculiformes
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Cuckoo
Cuculidae
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Cacomantis flabelliformis


iNaturalist
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Thank you Alan Melville & BLawson for confirming the id of this species for us

The chestnut breast is more obvious than the fanned tail. Grey back and wings. Similar to Grey shrike-thrush from behind.
The eye ring is difficult to see.
Very pretty up close, plain from a distance.
Imaged 12(5M,2F,1J) in May(1F), Jun(2:1F), Jul(5M), Aug(2), Sep(1) & Nov(1J)
Video:
Fan-tailed Cuckoo calling (5Mb)
Juvenile
🔍Male, front
Male, Singing, ventral
Male, ventral
Male, tail
Male, profile
Male, Singing, back
🔍Male, Cold, back
Male, head
Female, front
🔍Female, profile
Female, back
Female, flying
Cuckoos
Cuculiformes
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Cuckoo
Cuculidae
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Pallid Cuckoo
Cacomantis pallidus


iNaturalist
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Thank you Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us

When we first spotted this on Ellura we weren't sure what it was. Having only recently discovered a Black-eared cuckoo it looked very similar, but way too big.
It has a dark striped through the eye and no barring on the breast. Grey / brown back and a similar tail to the Fan-tail cuckoo.
Males are grey, with no barring. Females are rufous and can be barred. We suspect she'll look like a completely different species.
Imaged 9(7M,1J) in Apr(1M), Jun(1), Jul(2M), Aug(2M) & Sep(3:2M,1J)
Video:
Pallid Cuckoo from the back (8Mb)
Pallid Cuckoo from the front (4Mb)
Front
Male, profile, calling
Male, ventral
🔍Male, back
Male, head
Male, white patch on nape
Male, orange mouth
Male, tail fanned out
Cuckoos
Cuculiformes
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Cuckoo
Cuculidae
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo
Chalcites basalis


iNaturalist
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SynonymChrysococcyx basalis

Other Common NamesHorsefield's or Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo

Similar Species: Shining Bronze-cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus) : Black Eared Cuckoo (Chalcites osculans)
Thank you Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us

Regular high-pitched call with brown and white barred breast. Metallic green and bronze back.
Camouflages very well in bushes with its green back.
Very similar to Shining Bronze Cuckoo, but the Horsfields' bars don't meet at the front. The green back is also duller, but that's hard to compare without seeing both.
The males have orange / brown eyes, while the females have off-white eyes.
Imaged 15(8M,2F) in Apr(1), May(1M), Jul(2:1M), Aug(6:4M,1F) & Sep(5:2M,1F)
Video:
Horsfields Bronze Cuckoo calling (10Mb)
Male, front
🔍Male, front
Male, ventral
Male, profile
🔍Male, back
🔍Male, chestnut tail feathers
🔍Female, profile
Female, back
Size, compared to Female Hooded Robin
Cuckoos
Cuculiformes
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Cuckoo
Cuculidae
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Black Eared Cuckoo
Chalcites osculans


iNaturalist
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SynonymChrysococcyx osculans

Similar Species: Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo (Chalcites basalis)
Thank you Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 3 in May(1), Jun(1) & Sep(1)
Video:
Black Eared Cuckoo call. The trill on the end is always there unless it's interupted (14Mb)
Front
Close up
Back
🔍Tail, ventral
Cuckoos
Cuculiformes
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Cuckoo
Cuculidae
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Shining Bronze-cuckoo
Chrysococcyx lucidus


iNaturalist
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SynonymChalcites lucidus

Similar Species: Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo (Chalcites basalis)
Thank you Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 10(2J) in Jan(2J), Aug(1), Sep(2), Oct(3), Nov(1) & Dec(1)
🔍Profile
Back
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Eagle & Hawk
Accipitridae
  (8 species
    7 from Ellura)
Collared Sparrowhawk
Accipiter cirrocephalus


iNaturalist
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Similar Species: Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus)
Thank you Sam Gordon, Antoni Camozzato & Prof Victor W Fazio III† for confirming the id of this species for us

Has a distinctive yellow eye, and very lightly-striped body (barely visible).
Imaged 4 in Jul(2), Aug(1) & Sep(1)
🔍Adult Head
🔍Adult Back
🔍Adult Front
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Eagle & Hawk
Accipitridae
  (8 species
    7 from Ellura)
Brown Goshawk
Accipiter fasciatus


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Similar Species: Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus)
Thank you Sam Gordon, Bradley W. Jones & Terra Occ for confirming the id of this species for us

Very similar to the Collared Sparrowhawk, but has a heavier brow; making it look as thought it's frowning. Thanks to Sam for spotting our error with the Adult Goshawk in flight. We thought this was a Collared Sparrow-hawk.
Imaged 4(1J) in Mar(1), Apr(1), Sep(1) & Oct(1J)
🔍Juvenile, ventral
Juvenile Back
🔍Adult Flying
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Eagle & Hawk
Accipitridae
  (8 species
    7 from Ellura)
Wedge Tailed Eagle
Aquila audax


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Other Common NameWedgie

Thank you Antoni Camozzato & Amy D. for confirming the id of this species for us

Large majestic brown and tan hunter.
Huge wing span and is easily identified by the diamond-shaped tail.
Hunts regularly through Ellura as it is so healthy.
We thought the pink gape indicated juveniles, but Nina Maurovic said "They have a pink gape their whole life. Young birds are much lighter in colour and have more mottled/banded coloration in their secondary wing feathers and tail feathers"
Imaged 10(1J) in Jan(1), Jun(2), Jul(2), Aug(2:1J), Sep(2) & Oct(1)
Perched
🔍Flying
Size Comparison
🔍Close Up Wing
🔍Back
Ventral
Profile
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Eagle & Hawk
Accipitridae
  (8 species
    7 from Ellura)
Spotted Harrier
Circus assimilis


iNaturalist
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Thank you Louis O'neill for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Sep
Dorsal
Ventral
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Eagle & Hawk
Accipitridae
  (8 species
    7 from Ellura)
Black-shouldered Kite
Elanus axillaris


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameBlack Shouldered Kite

Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Sep
Profile
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Eagle & Hawk
Accipitridae
  (8 species
    7 from Ellura)
Whistling Kite
Haliastur sphenurus


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Similar Species: Little Eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides)
Thank you Jack Morgan for confirming the id of this species for us

Very large. We thought kites were smaller.
Brown wings and buff breast.
Juveniles have white wing tips which show up as "freckles".
Regular white patches on its back and wings when at rest.
Imaged 9(1J) in Aug(3), Sep(2) & Oct(4:1J)
🔍Juvenile
🔍Pair, Perched
Adult, Profile In Flight
Adult, Ventral In Flight
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Eagle & Hawk
Accipitridae
  (8 species
    7 from Ellura)
Little Eagle
Hieraaetus morphnoides


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Similar Species: Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)
Thank you Janine Duffy for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 5 in May(1), Jul(1), Sep(1), Oct(1) & Dec(1)
Dark Morph Immature
Dark Morph Immature
Light Morph Adult
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Eagle & Hawk
Accipitridae
  (8 species
    7 from Ellura)
Black Kite
Milvus migrans


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Thank you Bradley W. Jones for confirming the id of this species for us

The tail went from straight edged to forked as it was gliding/flying around.
Imaged 4 in May(1), Sep(1) & Oct(2)
Gliding, ventral
Different Leading Profile of Wings
Profile, front
Forked Tail, ventral
Body
Dark Behind the Eye
Pair
🔍Perched, profile
🔍Perched, anterior
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Falcon
Falconidae
  (4 species
    4 from Ellura)
Nankeen Kestrel
Falco (Tinnunculus) cenchroides


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SynonymFalco cenchroides ssp cenchroides

Thank you Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

Glad I'm not a mouse. Grey predator; but beautiful like a spitfire.
Imaged 5 in Sep(2), Oct(2) & Nov(1)
Front
Back
On the Wing
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Falcon
Falconidae
  (4 species
    4 from Ellura)
Brown Falcon
Falco berigora


iNaturalist
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Thank you Ralph Foster, Alan Melville & John Oliver for confirming the id of this species for us

Medium sized bird of prey. The light morph has a buff breast, with thin brown stripes. All morphs have brown back and wings. We have a resident breeding pair of Brown Falcons (mixed morphs) often found perched on the top of a dead tree. They sit there for hours, scanning their surrounds.
We have read of studies that the suggest "morphs" are simple age variations (lighter = older). Our photo of a Light Morph juvenile must disprove this?
Imaged 46(2M,2F,11J) in Jan(4:3J), Feb(1), Apr(2), May(5:1M,1F,1J), Jul(8:1M,1F,1J), Aug(12:2J), Sep(3), Oct(4), Nov(2:1J) & Dec(5:3J)
🔍Dark Morph, Juvenile
Brown Morph, Fledgling
Brown Morph, Fledgling Soaring
Brown Morph, Juvenile
Brown Morph, Adult
🔍Rufous Morph, head
Rufous Morph, under-wing
🔍Rufous Morph, top of wing
Light Morph, Juvenile
Light Morph, Juvenile Gliding
Light Morph, Adult
Light Morph, Nesting
Size Comparison
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Falcon
Falconidae
  (4 species
    4 from Ellura)
Australian Hobby
Falco longipennis


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Other Common NameLittle Falcon

Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Dec
Back
Legs
In Flight
Birds of Prey
Falconiformes
  (12 species
    11 from Ellura)
Falcon
Falconidae
  (4 species
    4 from Ellura)
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus ssp macropus


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Thank you Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 3 in Jan(1), May(1) & Oct(1)
🔍Anterior
🔍Profile
🔍Socks
In Flight
Eating a Galah
Gamefowl
Galliformes
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Pheasant & Partridge
Phasianidae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Stubble Quail
Coturnix pectoralis


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Thank you Dr Christopher Burwell for confirming the id of this species for us

Extremely timid. They forage in grass & saltbush. As you walk you can get quite close (a couple of metres) and not know they are there. Then they'll suddenly take flight scaring the living daylights out of you

Usually they will then fly only a short distance (100m) low over the ground.
Smaller than a Bronzewing, with a brown/grey appearance streaked/dappled with white.
Imaged 1 in Sep
Pair
Cranes
Gruiformes
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Rails
Rallidae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Australasian Coot
Fulica atra ssp australis


iNaturalist
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Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us

According to Piotr Minias, in his Oct 2014 study, gender differentiation using the size of the frontal shield is only ~70% accurate.
Eurasian Coots have lobed feet, not webbed. The lobes, or flaps, fold easily; probably making it easy to 'swim' through water with lots of vegetation.
Imaged 3 in Mar(1) & Aug(2)
Small Facial Shield
Profile
Large Facial Shield
Lobed Feet
Cranes
Gruiformes
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Rails
Rallidae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Dusky Moorhen
Gallinula tenebrosa


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Thank you Bradley W. Jones for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2 in Mar(1) & Oct(1)
🔍Parent Feeding Chick
Cranes
Gruiformes
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Rails
Rallidae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Purple Swamphen
Porphyrio (Porphyrio) porphyrio melanotus


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SynonymsPorphyrio melanotus, Porphyrio melanotus ssp melanotus or Porphyrio porphyrio ssp melanotus

Other Common NamesAustralian Swamphen or Australasian Swamphen

Thank you Bradley W. Jones for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 4 in Apr(1), Sep(1) & Oct(2)
Wading
Feet
Cranes
Gruiformes
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Rails
Rallidae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Black-tailed Native-hen
Tribonyx ventralis


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SynonymGallinula ventralis

Thank you Stephen Cox for confirming the id of this species for us

A dusky coloured, large bird, with a black tail that pops up if they feel threatened.
Their beak is pale green on top and orange under. Legs are pale red to orange.
Imaged 2 in Sep(1) & Oct(1)
🔍Profile
Anterior
🔍Head
Darker
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Warbler
Acanthizidae
  (10 species
    5 from Ellura)
Inland Thornbill
Acanthiza apicalis


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Similar Species: Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis)
Thank you Antoni Camozzato & David Muirhead for confirming the id of this species for us

Has a similar rump to chestnut-rumped thornbill, so easy to miss-identify.
Striations of the throat go much further past the breast, almost to the legs.
If you can see the colour of the eye, it often makes identification easier.
Thick buff colour eye-ring, with a red eye (compared to the off-white eye of the chestnut-rumped thornbill).
Imaged 5 in Jan(1), Aug(1), Sep(2) & Oct(1)
Front
Back
Upside down
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Warbler
Acanthizidae
  (10 species
    5 from Ellura)
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Acanthiza chrysorrhoa


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Thank you Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us

A striking black forehead with white streaks / dots which contrasts to pale yellow breast. Olive back.
Like the chestnut-rumped, the bright yellow rump is difficult to see.
Imaged 11 in Mar(1), May(4), Jun(1), Jul(1), Aug(1), Oct(2) & Dec(1)
Front
Profile
🔍Back
Launching
Hovering
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Warbler
Acanthizidae
  (10 species
    5 from Ellura)
Striated Thornbill
Acanthiza lineata


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Thank you Gavin Goodyear for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 5(1J) in Feb(1J), Apr(1), May(1) & Jun(2)
Immature
🔍Profile
Head
🔍Just hangin' around
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Warbler
Acanthizidae
  (10 species
    5 from Ellura)
Yellow Thornbill
Acanthiza nana


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameLittle Thornbill

Thank you Gavin Goodyear for confirming the id of this species for us

The yellow makes it more striking than the other thornbills.
Imaged 3 in Apr(1) & May(2)
Front
Back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Warbler
Acanthizidae
  (10 species
    5 from Ellura)
Brown Thornbill
Acanthiza pusilla


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Thank you Gavin Goodyear for confirming the id of this species for us

Plain but pretty. Typical thornbill - inquisitive, always on the go.
Imaged 3 in Jul(1), Aug(1) & Sep(1)
🔍Profile
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Warbler
Acanthizidae
  (10 species
    5 from Ellura)
Buff-rumped Thornbill
Acanthiza reguloides


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Thank you Gavin Goodyear for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 3 in Jan(1), Apr(1) & Oct(1)
Anterior
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Warbler
Acanthizidae
  (10 species
    5 from Ellura)
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
Acanthiza uropygialis


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Similar Species: Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis)
Thank you Antoni Camozzato & Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

Very obvious brown & buff ring pattern around the eye. Striated throat. The chestnut-rump is easily hidden by the wings.
Eye is off-white.
Eye colour helps greatly when trying to identify a thornbill when the rest of the bird is obscured.
Imaged 15(2M) in Jan(1), Apr(1), May(3:2M), Jun(3), Jul(5), Sep(1) & Oct(1)
🔍Profile
Profile
Front
Back
In Flight
Fighting
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Warbler
Acanthizidae
  (10 species
    5 from Ellura)
Southern Whiteface
Aphelocephala leucopsis


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Thank you Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

Quite timid. The white across the forehead is quite obvious even for such a small bird.
Light brown to grey back.
Imaged 16(2J) in Feb(1), Mar(1), May(2:1J), Jul(3), Aug(2:1J), Sep(5) & Oct(2)
Juvenile
Foraging
Back
🔍Profile
Ventral
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Warbler
Acanthizidae
  (10 species
    5 from Ellura)
Mount Lofty Range White-browed Scrubwren
Sericornis frontalis ssp rosinae


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Thank you Bradley W. Jones for identifying this species for us

We had these as Sericornis frontalis ssp frontalis, but according to Bradley, ssp rosinae is more correct for the region.
Imaged 5(3M,1F) in Sep(4:3M,1F) & Nov(1)
Male, profile
Male, anterior
Female
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Warbler
Acanthizidae
  (10 species
    5 from Ellura)
Weebill
Smicrornis brevirostris


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Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

Smallest Australian bird. Very active. Never sits still. Perches with cousin Pardalote quite happily.
A mix of gentle greens, browns and yellow make it quite an attractive bird.
Beak looks more like a finch's, than a thornbill's.
The brow is usually more obvious than shown in this photo.
Imaged 11 in Jan(2), Feb(1), May(2), Jun(1), Jul(1), Aug(3) & Oct(1)
Singing
Eye ring
Colours
Comparison with Pardalote
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Crow
Artamidae
  (7 species
    6 from Ellura)
Dusky Woodswallow
Artamus cyanopterus


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Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

The blue beak contrasts starkly with the drab-coloured body.
"Dusky" is a very appropriate name, it's almost a sooty-grey coloured bird.
There does seem to be some colour variation between the sooty-grey & chocolate brown.
We suspected the chocolate brown birds were immature/sub-adult; but Lauren Butler showed us a photo of a chocolate brown pair with their offspring. As such, it's just a colour variation. Fledglings are chocolate brown with "pin stripes". As the fledglings age, the "pin stripes" disappear.
They are different to the Little Woodswallow (Artamus minor) as they have a white stripe on their wings' leading edge which is visible when sitting. They are also larger, but this would be nearly impossible to determine unless they were standing next to each other or you were already familiar with the Little Woodswallow.
Imaged 113(18J) in Jan(3:2J), Feb(21:14J), Mar(1J), Apr(37:1J), May(22), Jun(1), Jul(2), Aug(7), Sep(6), Oct(4), Nov(5) & Dec(4)
Juvenile, Eating a Sugar Ant
Juvenile, With a Snack
Juvenile, back
Juvenile, head
6 Juveniles Having a Drink
Juveniles Roosting
Older Juvenile
Brown Adult, front
Brown Adult, ventral
Brown Adult, back
Sooty Grey Adult
Sooty Grey Adult
20 Roosting
Size, compared to Brown Falcon
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Crow
Artamidae
  (7 species
    6 from Ellura)
Masked Woodswallow
Artamus personatus


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Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

Such a serious fellow with its blue beak, black face and grey body & wings.
Imaged 259(25M,12F) in Jan(1), Feb(1), Apr(2), Sep(10:3M,1F), Oct(34:6M,2F), Nov(156:8M,4F) & Dec(55:8M,5F)
Video:
Masked Woodswallows roosting. 2 males, then a female comes in(11Mb)
35 Roosting
About 100 Flocking
Roosting
A Pair
Male Parted Breast
Male profile
Male Cinnamon
Male Under-wing
2 Males Front & Back
Female Head
Female Front
Female Back
Female Cinnamon
Juvenile
White Tail Tip
In Flight, ventral
In Flight Front
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Crow
Artamidae
  (7 species
    6 from Ellura)
White-browed Woodswallow
Artamus superciliosus


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Thank you Louise Merigot for confirming the id of this species for us

Often found roosting with their Masked cousins. But never mating together.
Imaged 79(11M,11F,8J) in Jan(7:2M,1F,3J), Feb(4:1M,1F), Apr(4), Sep(3:2F), Oct(27:1M,2F), Nov(9:4M,3F) & Dec(25:3M,2F,5J)
Flimsy Nest, Front
Flimsy Nest, Profile
Rain Gauge Nest
Eggs
Newly Hatched
Hatchlings, ~1 Week Old
Hatchlings, ~2 Weeks
Mum Feeding
Dad Brooding
Fledgling, 1st Day
Fledgling, 1st Day
Fledgling, 1st Day
Juvenlie with Dad
Immature, profile
Immature, back
Male Front
🔍Male Profile
Male, Flying, ventral
Male, Flying, Profile
Pair
Female Front
Female, ventral
2 Females Roosting
Roosting
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Crow
Artamidae
  (7 species
    6 from Ellura)
Pied Butcherbird
Cracticus nigrogularis


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Other Common NameBlack-throated Butcherbird

Thank you Dianne Clarke for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 3(1J) in Jan(1) & May(2:1J)
Juvenile, front
🔍Juvenile, profile
Adult, front
Adult, ventral
🔍Adult, back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Crow
Artamidae
  (7 species
    6 from Ellura)
Grey Butcherbird
Cracticus torquatus


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Thank you Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

A smartly dressed (in grey, black & white) inquisitive bird.
Immature birds can look like Kookaburras.
Looking at zzey's, you'd swear the juvenile's face is that of a Pied Butcherbird (as their drawing of the immature Grey doesn't look like ours). But the swirling beige lines around the eye are not identifiers.
We haven't been able to tell the difference between Grey & Pied juvenile birds. As such our juveniles on Ellura are assumed to be Grey as we haven't seen a Pied, but have many Greys.
We might be able to rely on their call, but we've seen videos of Pied Butcherbirds imitating other birds & sounds (but it's doubtful a juvenile has this skill).
Imaged 40(21J) in Feb(1), Mar(2J), Apr(6:1J), May(6:1J), Jun(1), Jul(2J), Aug(3:1J), Oct(12:9J), Nov(5:3J) & Dec(2J)
Video:
Perched, then flying away (4Mb)
Fledgling, pink gape
Fledgling with Parent
🔍Immature, profile
Immature, profile, older
Immature, back
Immature, ventral
Immature, singing
Adult, ventral
🔍Adult, profile
Adult, back
Adult, head
Adult, flying
Size Comparison with Willie Wagtail
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Crow
Artamidae
  (7 species
    6 from Ellura)
Australian Magpie
Gymnorhina tibicen


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SynonymCracticus tibicen

Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

Black and white. Females have more grey instead of white. Raven-like. Have a gentle warbling song.
We get two races at Ellura, one with a completely white back, and the other with a black band across the back.
Far more timid in the wild than in urban areas.
Imaged 77(18M,18F,5J) in Feb(7:1M), Mar(1M), Apr(20:4M,8F), May(1F), Jun(1), Jul(7:3M,1F,1J), Aug(4:1M,3J), Sep(18:2M,2F), Oct(16:6M,4F,1J) & Dec(2F)
🔍Chick in Nest; Dad Standing Guard
Juvenile, profile
Juvenile, scratching it's other ear
Juvenile, back
Juvenile, head
Juvenile, front
Male, back
Male, front
Male, profile
Male, ventral, on one leg
Female, profile
🔍Female, back
Different Back Patterns
In flight
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Crow
Artamidae
  (7 species
    6 from Ellura)
Black-winged Currawong
Strepera versicolor ssp melanoptera


iNaturalist
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Thank you Antoni Camozzato for identifying this species for us

A brilliant yellow eye helps identify this large black bird.
White can be visible when flying, and so easily confused with a White-winged Chough.
However, it is often solitary or occasionally in a small (3) family group; unlike Chough's which show a lot more white and are almost always in a large (10-20) flock.
Very timid.
Once a year, around spring, they seem to gather and stay in a large flock (10-20 birds). We think it is a form of a nursery. They constantly call to each other as they travel around the reserve; not resting in one place for long.
While we recognised they are Strepera versicolor, Antoni took us to sub-species. He said "this is the subspecies found in our local area, from around Adelaide east to westernmost NSW and Victoria. Visually, melanoptera can be distinguished from other subspecies by their mostly black plumage (rather than grey) and the near/complete absence of a white patch at the base of their primary feathers which gives them their common name. S. v. halmaturina also shares these features but is found only on Kangaroo Island. Elsewhere in SA, there's also intermedia or the Brown Currawong (Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas) and plumbea (western SA into WA)."
Well that explains the reason ours are so black!
Imaged 36(1M,1F,6J) in Jan(4:2J), Mar(2:1J), Apr(3), May(7), Jul(3), Aug(3), Sep(4), Oct(7:1M,1F), Nov(2J) & Dec(1J)
Video:
Grey Currawongs in the distance sharing a tree with our resident Brown Falcon (6Mb)
Lots of Grey Currawongs in the distance (5Mb)
A Grey Currawong, calling close (9Mb)
A Grey Currawong, calling in the distance (11Mb)
A Grey Currawong, moving very close (12Mb)
Fledgling
Adult,back
Adult, front
Adult, ventral
Adult, head
In Flight
Pair
Size, compared to Brown Falcon
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Cuckoo-shrike
Campephagidae
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Coracina novaehollandiae


iNaturalist
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Thank you Matt Campbell, Antoni Camozzato & Anthony Paul for confirming the id of this species for us

A fairly large pretty grey bird with a distinctive black face, blending through to grey and then white under.
Swoops as it flies.
Similar to a Grey Shrike-thrush from the back, but larger.
Imaged 25(8J) in Jan(2J), Feb(3:2J), Apr(5:2J), Jun(2), Jul(2), Aug(5), Sep(3:2J), Oct(1), Nov(1) & Dec(1)
Immature Front
Immature Back, tail's white edge
Immature, outstretched wings
Immature, top of wing
Immature, front
Immature, back
Immature, profile
Immature, head
Adult, front
Adult, back
Adult, profile
Showing Under Wing & Tail
Hovering
In Flight
Size Comparison
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Cuckoo-shrike
Campephagidae
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
White-winged Triller
Lalage sueurii


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SynonymLalage tricolor

Other Common NamesCaterpillar-eater, Jardine Triller or White-shouldered Triller

Thank you Antoni Camozzato, Andrew Allen & Jack Morgan for confirming the id of this species for us

A seasonal traveller through our parts. Much smaller and whiter than a magpie, so it's easy to differentiate.
However, the males change their plumage, making them difficult to identify in the "off" season.
When not in their breeding colours, they have what's called "Eclipse" plumage; which is brown.
It took us a while to work out what was going one with one sighting, when we realised the bird was in the cross-over phase between the Eclipse & Breeding plumage. So nearly black and white with some brown dappling. We've never see the males in exclipse plumage here, probably as they have already starting getting their breeding colours before they arrive.
Imaged 15(8M,6F) in Sep(11:7M,4F), Oct(2:1M), Nov(1F) & Dec(1F)
Male Back, Crossover Plumage
Male Profile, Crossover Plumage
Male Front, Crossover Plumage
Male Back, Crossover Plumage
Male Back, Breeding Plumage
🔍Male Profile, Breeding Plumage
Male Front, Breeding Plumage
Female, Profile
Female, Profile
Female, Front
Female, Back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Cisticola
Cisticolidae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Golden-headed Cisticola
Cisticola exilis


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Thank you Pete Woodall for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Mar
Profile
Front
Back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australian Treecreeper
Climacteridae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Brown Treecreeper
Climacteris picumnus


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Other Common NameBrown Tree creeper

Thank you Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

Big feet! Vocal brown birds always inspecting the bark of trees for insects and other food.
Quite an elegant bird, with pretty buff scalloped breast with dark brown edges.
Dark patch through the eye with a pale/buff brow.
Imaged 20(4J) in May(1), Jun(2), Jul(1), Aug(4), Sep(3:2J), Oct(8:1J) & Nov(1J)
Fledgling
Juvenile
🔍Adult, profile
Head
Front
Back
Foraging on the ground
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australian Treecreeper
Climacteridae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
White-throated Treecreeper
Cormobates leucophaea


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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Females can be readily distinguished from males because the females have an orange cheek patch.
Very timid and we've rarely seen them.
Imaged 5(1M,3F,1J) in Mar(1J), Apr(1F), May(1F), Jun(1F) & Jul(1M)
Immature, in shadow
Immature, feet
🔍Male, profile, rotated
Female, profile
Female, anterior
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australian Mud-nester
Corcoracidae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
White-winged Chough
Corcorax melanorhamphos


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Other Common NameBush Chicken

Thank you David Muirhead for confirming the id of this species for us

A dark red eye is only visible on the brightest of days.
The white wings are only visible when in flight as a band.
Very dark brown bird, normally looks black; but the brown can be seen in the right light.
Very timid; they post sentries to warn of danger.
Ellura has a flock of 30+ birds visit regularly. Very social.
Wayne calls them "Chickens of the Bush"; very apt.
We've seen them eat a small lizard (skink).

Recently Marie found an occupied nest and so we were lucky enough to get some close-up photo's of them. Due to this we now know that the exterior of the Sclera (white of the eye in humans) is pink. The interior of the Sclera (brown, green, blue, etc, in humans) is Deep Red. But in fledglings they are Brown.
We now have a nest outside our lounge room window. They're raising their 2nd brood in the same nest as we type (Sept 2022).
This species is unusual in that it is Near Threatened locally, but RARE at a State level.

They are getting some bad press because of a perception they "kidnap" birds from other flocks. This clearly isn't true, no hand-cuffs are involved! What a clan will do is try and bribe birds from another clan. This highlights a need for the birds to feel valued within a clan, else they'll go elsewhere. This is important behaviour as it creates genetic diversity. The whole clan helps raise a single brood of about 2 chicks; increasing success rate.
Imaged 76(1J) in Jan(1), Mar(2), Apr(10), May(1), Jul(19), Aug(8:1J), Sep(2), Oct(2), Nov(8) & Dec(23)
Video:
White-winged Choughs; flying and varioius sounds (7Mb)
Fledgling Eye, Pointing Down
🔍Fledgling Eye, Pointing Straight
Fledgling, with down exposed
Mud Nest, with Fledglings & Guard
Profile Mud Nest
Mud Nest Perspective
Back
Front Showing Red Eyes
Profile Showing White Wing Edge
Showing Brown Back
Flying
Foraging on the ground
15 Gathering
Red Eye, here's look'n at ya kid
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australian Mud-nester
Corcoracidae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Apostlebird
Struthidea cinerea


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Thank you George Seagull & BaronSamedi for confirming the id of this species for us

A small flock were crossing the road as we drove home from Pooginook CP.
Imaged 8 in Jul(2) & Sep(6)
🔍Profile
🔍Hunkered Down
🔍4 in a Row
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Crow
Corvidae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Australian Raven
Corvus coronoides


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Thank you David Muirhead & Alanna Alley for confirming the id of this species for us

A great laugh to hear the call trailing off. Sounds like it's falling out of the sky.
A large black bird with pale eye.
You can see our Juveniles have brown eyes, instead of the adult's white eyes.
Imaged 45(2M,2F,7J) in Feb(3:1M,1F), Mar(6:1J), Apr(3), May(2:1J), Jun(4), Jul(5:1M,1F), Aug(8:2J), Sep(8:2J), Oct(3) & Nov(3:1J)
🔍Nest
🔍Hatchlings
🔍Chick 16 days later (only one made it)
🔍Nearly Fledgling 14 days later
🔍Same Nearly Fledgling testing Wings
Juvenile, back
🔍Juvenile, under wing
🔍Juvenile, Attacked by Willie Wagtails
Juvenile, Flying
Adult, front
Adult, Flying
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Crow
Corvidae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Little Raven
Corvus mellori


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Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

As its name suggests, smaller than the Australian Raven.
Imaged 3(1J) in Mar(1), Aug(1J) & Nov(1)
🔍Anterior
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Weaver-finch
Estrildidae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Chestnut-Breasted Mannikin
Lonchura castaneothorax


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Thank you Brendan Duggan for confirming the id of this species for us

The 2 reasons for adding this, primarily Queensland, species are that
  1. It is a quite beautiful finch
  2. It was photographed free in the Adelaide Hills.
We eventually determined it was an "Escapee" (ie held locally in captivity & then escaped). As such, we wanted to highlight that even though the books give you a locality range, it's quite possible to spot a species well outside of it's normal area (but unusual). This individual stayed around for 2 or 3 years, living happily with a flock of Red-browed Firetails.
Imaged 2 in May
🔍Profile
Front
Back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Weaver-finch
Estrildidae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Red-browed Firetail
Neochmia temporalis ssp temporalis


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Other Common NameRed-browed Finch

Thank you Brendan Duggan for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 13 in Jan(1), Mar(1), Apr(4), May(1), Jun(1), Jul(1), Oct(2) & Dec(2)
Profile
🔍Front
🔍Profile, front
Profile, ventral
Immature
Small Group
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Weaver-finch
Estrildidae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Diamond Firetail
Stagonopleura guttata


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Thank you Brendan Duggan for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2 in May(1) & Aug(1)
Front
Back
Profile
Fire Engine Red tail
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Weaver-finch
Estrildidae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Zebra Finch
Taeniopygia guttata ssp castanotis


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Other Common NameAustralian Zebra Finch

Thank you Bradley W. Jones for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 3(1M,2F) in Sep
🔍Adult, Female, profile
🔍Adult, Male, profile
🔍Adult, Male, Stretching Wing
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Swallow
Hirundinidae
  (3 species
    3 from Ellura)
Welcome Swallow
Hirundo neoxena


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Thank you LeithallB for confirming the id of this species for us

Very similar to the Tree Martin but more colourful, with a beautiful copper face & chin.
Imaged 16(1M,1F) in Apr(1), May(1), Jul(3), Aug(4), Sep(4:1M,1F), Oct(2) & Nov(1)
Video:
Welcome Swallow twittering (5Mb)
Welcome Swallow twittering (15Mb)
Front
Profile
Head
Top of Head
Flying
Behaviour
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Swallow
Hirundinidae
  (3 species
    3 from Ellura)
Fairy Martin
Petrochelidon ariel


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Thank you Antoni Camozzato & George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Fairy easy to differentiate between these and the Tree Martins. Tree Martins have a Dark Blue/Black Satin head, where as the Fairy Martins have a chestnut coloured head.
Imaged 3 in Jan(1) & Nov(2)
With a Tree Martin
🔍Dorsal
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Swallow
Hirundinidae
  (3 species
    3 from Ellura)
Tree Martin
Petrochelidon nigricans


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Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

Like woodswallows when flying.
Rusty forehead + rump, deep blue/black jacket and crown. Brown streaked white breast.
Imaged 74(3J) in Jan(5), Apr(2), Oct(1), Nov(4:2J) & Dec(62:1J)
Video:
Flock of Tree Martins foraging (7Mb)
Fledgling, Front
Fledgling, Profile
Fledgling, Back
Juvenile, Back
Juvenile, Profile
🔍Juvenile, Front
🔍Adult, Profile
Adult, Profile
Adult, Back
Adult, Blue Back
Roosting in the cold morning
About 70 Roosting in a Nursury
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australian Fairy-wren
Maluridae
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
Mainland Purple-backed Fairy-wren
Malurus assimilis ssp assimilis


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SynonymMalurus lamberti

Other Common NameVariegated Fairy-wren

Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

The male is very similar to the Superb but with a chestnut "scarf". Unlike the splendid, the patch around the female's eye is blood-red.
So far we haven't seen the Superb & Variegated in the same area.
Last year, 2018, these were split out from the Variegated Fairy-wrens (Malurus lamberti)
Imaged 20(6M,7F,5J) in Jan(4:2M,2F), Apr(2:1F,1J), May(3:1F,1J), Jul(3:1M,1J), Aug(2J), Sep(1M), Nov(1M) & Dec(4:1M,3F)
Video:
A fairy-wren eating an insect for lunch (13Mb)
A male variegated fairy-wren hopping & singing (10Mb)
A male variegated fairy-wren working out how to get an insect out of a Smooth Wallaby Bush to catch lunch (8Mb)
A male variegated fairy-wren hopping into a Smooth Wallaby Bush to catch lunch (17Mb)
Male, starting to leave eclipse
Male, almost full breeding colours
Male, profile
Male, close up
Male, front
Female
Pair
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australian Fairy-wren
Maluridae
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
South Australian Superb Fairy-wren
Malurus cyaneus ssp leggei


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Thank you Fubberpish for confirming the id of this species for us

More formal looking than the splendid; like wearing a grey suit with a black & sky blue scarf and cap.
Non-breeding males, juvenile males and females can be hard to differentiate. Adult Males have black beaks, females have orange/red beaks.
Kristen Messenger said "males have black eyelashes while females have chestnut".
Imaged 29(16M,7F,4J) in Jan(4:2M,1F,1J), Mar(4:2M,2F), Apr(2M), May(1F), Aug(1F), Sep(1F), Oct(4:3M), Nov(3:2M,1F) & Dec(9:5M,3J)
Fledgling
Juvenile
🔍Female, front
🔍Male, front
🔍Male, profile
🔍Male, profile
Male, singing
Male, eclipse plumage
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australian Fairy-wren
Maluridae
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
White-winged Fairy-wren
Malurus leucopterus


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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

The all blue body on this fellow makes the white of the wings look radiant.
Imaged 6(3M,2F,1J) in Sep(3:2M,1F), Oct(2:1F,1J) & Nov(1M)
Male
Male & Female
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australian Fairy-wren
Maluridae
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
Black-backed Fairy-wren
Malurus splendens ssp melanotus


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Other Common NameSplendid Fairywren

Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

Males are a bright blue, mischievous rascals. Will sing loudly to distract you away from nest and family.
The hours we've spent being lead from one bush to the next and back to the first to get a shot

As with other wrens, males coming into breeding plumage are a real hotchpotch.
Females are very plain with an apricot patch around the eye, if you can get close enough to see it. Her blue tail is easy to spot, though.
We get the "Black Back" race. The black back is not easy to see.
Imaged 21(15M,5F,2J) in Jan(2M), Feb(1M), May(1:1M,1J), Jun(2:1M), Jul(4:2M,2F,1J), Aug(2M), Sep(1M), Oct(4:2M,2F) & Nov(4:3M,1F)
Male, getting breedng colours
Male, profile
Male, almost full breeding colours
Male, anterior
Male, profile
🔍Male, profile
🔍Male, profile
Male, Black Back
Female, head
Female, anterior
🔍Female, anterior
Female, profile
Female, back
Behaviour
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Warbler
Megaluridae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Brown Songlark
Cincloramphus (Cincloramphus) cruralis


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SynonymMegalurus cruralis

Similar Species: Australasian Pipit (Anthus (Anthus) novaeseelandiae)
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in May
Wings
Profile
Anterior
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Warbler
Megaluridae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Rufous Songlark
Cincloramphus (Maclennania) mathewsi


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SynonymMegalurus mathewsi

Thank you Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 4(3M,1J) in Jul(1M), Aug(2M) & Nov(1J)
Video:
A Rufous Songlark singing (10Mb)
A Rufous Songlark singing (25Mb)
Juvenile, front
Juvenile, profile
Juvenile, Rufous Rump
Juvenile, back
Male, front
Male, ventral
🔍Male, profile
Male, back
Male, throat
Male, top of head
Male, Foraging
Male, Singing
Size, compared to Bellbird
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
Acanthagenys rufogularis


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Thank you Thomas Mesaglio & Brendan Duggan for confirming the id of this species for us

Black & pink beak. Apricot breast bleeding to black & white streaked under.
Blue eye. Yellow cheek highlight in juveniles.
Has a huge vocal range.
Imaged 34 in Mar(1), Apr(1), May(5), Jul(3), Aug(4), Sep(8), Oct(9) & Nov(3)
Video:
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater chattering (9Mb)
Marie getting up close and personal with a Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater doing what they do (23Mb)
A young Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater singing & scratching (33Mb)
🔍Front, Squatting
Front, Standing
Profile
Singing
Back
Tongue
Spines & Beak
Brown Eye Ring
🔍Top of Head
In Flight
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Eastern Spinebill
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris


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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

You could have knocked us over with a feather when we saw one of these in a water bowl at Ellura! We are quite used to seeing them in the Adelaide Hills, but they rarely seem to ventue North/East of the Hills.
Imaged 7(1J) in Jan(1J), Apr(5) & Dec(1)
Front
Profile
Back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Little Wattlebird
Anthochaera (Anellobia) chrysoptera


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Thank you Asimakis Patitsas for confirming the id of this species for us

Very similar to the Red Wattlebird. Apart from other differences the lack of a red wattle on it's cheeks clearly differentiates these. They also have a very different song/call.
Imaged 6(2J) in Oct
🔍Searching for Food
🔍Adult, Profile
🔍Adult, Back
🔍Immature
🔍Orange Underwing
🔍Very Long Tongue
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Red Wattlebird
Anthochaera carunculata


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Thank you Jack Morgan for confirming the id of this species for us

Beautiful white spear patterns on grey/black back.
Red wattles under the ears/cheeks; which grow with age.
Yellow patch below the striated breast.
Grey patch under the eye with black crown.
Imaged 46(2J) in Jan(12), Apr(3), May(2), Jun(3), Jul(1), Aug(2), Sep(14:1J), Oct(7:1J), Nov(1) & Dec(1)
Video:
Red Wattlebird calling (4Mb)
Fledgling Red Wattlebird calling (4Mb)
Front
Profile
🔍Profile
Ventral
Back & Wattle
Back Pattern
Singing
Flock of 14 Roosting
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Caligavis chrysops


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SynonymLichenostomus chrysops

Thank you Pete Woodall for confirming the id of this species for us

Similar to the singing honeyeater, but the yellow strip is larger, through the eye, and has black below.
Imaged 6(1J) in Apr(2), Jun(1), Sep(1), Oct(1) & Dec(1J)
🔍Face
Profile
Singing
Back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Pied Honeyeater
Certhionyx variegatus


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Thank you judebirder for confirming the id of this species for us

Similar to a triller except for the black throat. Larger than the hooded robin.
Imaged 1 in Feb
Male
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Entomyzon cyanotis ssp cyanotis
P-R
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Imaged 1 in Oct
In a zoo
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
White-fronted Chat
Epthianura albifrons


iNaturalist
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Thank you Antoni Camozzato & Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us

Female has blue/grey front. Male is painted white face. Both with a black tie & brown jacket.
Imaged 6(3M,3F) in Mar(3:2M,1F), May(2:1M,1F) & Oct(1F)
Male
Female
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Crimson Chat
Epthianura tricolor


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Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

We were sitting having a coffee and this bright red suddenly started bopping around on the ground in the distance.
It's a Mistletoebird ... no a Red-capped Robin ... no it's super chat

Never in our wildest dreams did we ever expect to see one of these on Ellura. However, they are found all over the country, from the coast to the deserts.
As you can see the males are a bright crimson red with a white patch on the throat and black & white streaked back; which runs around the neck through to the beak.
This is individual seemed to be on it's own and at a guess a young bird. Seems "fluffy", but it wasn't cold. The females are brown with a crimson rump; similar to mistletoebirds.
Imaged 2 in Oct
Male, front
Male, back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Singing Honeyeater
Gavicalis virescens


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SynonymLichenostomus virescens

Thank you Terra Occ for confirming the id of this species for us

Generally olive with a black stripe through the eye. The black stripe is then highlighted with a yellow patch bleeding to white below the ear.
The Ellura specimens seem to have a more prominent white area behind the yellow patch than we've seen before.
Its song is similar to a Red Capped Robin.
Imaged 19(1J) in Jan(1), Apr(5:1J), May(3), Jun(3), Jul(1), Aug(1), Oct(4) & Nov(1)
Front
Profile
Back
Head
Top of Head
Feeding in Zygophyllum
Feeding in Mallee
Feeding a Berry to Another 1
Feeding a Berry to Another 2
Chasing each other
Size, compared to Dusky Woodswallow
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Tawny-crowned Honeyeater
Gliciphila melanops


iNaturalist
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SynonymGlyciphila melanops

Thank you Jenny Donald for confirming the id of this species for us

We put a few plant pot bases filled with water out for the birds. We feel we live in a micro-ecology where we are trying to mimic the true natural environment, but with cleared paddocks nearby, climate change reducing the steady rainfall, etc.
Generally the only input we make is to remove man introduced species (weeds). But the little birds would have a hard time flying 15km to the river Murray, or get eaten by cats & foxes at local damns.
We recognise that research suggests providing water is not "best". We also recognise much research in the past is flawed, and nobody really knows the best course of action to take. Some turn all water supply to native species off, others provide unmetered supply.
We actually think it's best if everyone does something different. At least some of us will get it right
By providing a little water we have found a wonderful assortment of rare native species thrive here.
As such, this specimen got so saturated, it's hard to identify it.
Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍Head
Front, White Throat
Profile
Back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Mainland Purple-gaped Honeyeater
Lichenostomus cratitius ssp occidentalis


iNaturalist
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Thank you Jenny Donald for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2 in Sep(1) & Oct(1)
Profile
Front
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Yellow-throated Miner
Manorina (Myzantha) flavigula


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Thank you Dianne Clarke & Brendan Duggan for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 7 in Jan(1), May(2), Jun(1), Nov(2) & Dec(1)
Profile
🔍Profile
Anterior
Back
Small Flock
🔍Size Comparison
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Noisy Miner
Manorina melanocephala


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Thank you judebirder for confirming the id of this species for us

Aggressive to birds. Orange beak & legs. Yellow eye patch. Grey motley breast.
In 2 of these photo's of the same specimen, you can see the eye-patch (yellow skin) looks to be very different in size. This is just a matter of the eye & head moving, stretching or compressing the skin.
Imaged 6 in Jan(1), Mar(1), May(1), Jun(1), Sep(1) & Oct(1)
🔍Ventral
Head, small eye patch
Large Eye Patch
What's Up?
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Melithreptus brevirostris


iNaturalist
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Thank you Ralph Foster, Tony and Jenny Dominelli, Jenny Donald & John Oliver for confirming the id of this species for us

A very small honeyeater. Travels in flocks.
A small pale brown, almost mustard, bare skin ring around the eye makes it look bulging.
Olive green back, and grey-white breast.
A distinctive buff ring starts by the eye and travels around the back of the head.
They are always active, never sitting still. If you can't get a camera, or bino's, on to them you'd easily mistake them for thornbills or silvereyes.
Imaged 57(1M,1F,10J) in Jan(3), Mar(1), Apr(10:1J), May(2), Jul(2), Aug(3), Sep(12), Oct(8:1J), Nov(9:1M,1F,4J) & Dec(7:4J)
Fledgling
Immature, front
Immature, profile
Adult, front
Adult, ventral
Adult, profile
Adult, back
Adult, back of head
Adult, upside down
Adult, singing
A Small Flock of 3
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
White-naped Honeyeater
Melithreptus lunatus ssp lunatus


iNaturalist
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Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

Orange eye-brow, black head, olive back, grey front. Oh, and a white nape.
Imaged 8(3J) in Apr(1), May(4:2J), Aug(2) & Dec(1J)
Profile
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
White-eared Honeyeater
Nesoptilotis leucotis


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SynonymLichenostomus leucotis

Thank you Thomas Mesaglio & Jenny Donald for confirming the id of this species for us

Dark olive with rectangular a white patch around the ear.
Imaged 15(2J) in Feb(1), May(2), Jul(2), Aug(2), Sep(1), Oct(4) & Nov(3:2J)
Video:
A White-eared Honeyeater calling (7Mb)
Front
Ventral
Profile
Back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
New Holland Honeyeater
Phylidonyris novaehollandiae


iNaturalist
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Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

Very common. Yellow wing coverts. Heavily streaked black & white breast.
White eye-ball with black pupil.
Imaged 24(4J) in Apr(2), Jun(1), Jul(3), Aug(1), Oct(1), Nov(1J) & Dec(15:3J)
Video:
A flock having a bath and a squabble (6Mb)
A juvenile trying to feed from another, then complaining, while a parent looks on (10 Mb)
Juveniles
🔍Profile
🔍Anterior
Body, front
🔍Head, front
Front
Head, back
Back
Wings
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Crescent Honeyeater
Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera


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SynonymPhylidonyris pyrrhopterus

Thank you judebirder for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 7(5M,2F,1J) in Feb(1M), Apr(2M), Jul(2M), Aug(1F) & Nov(1:1F,1J)
🔍Male
Female
Sub-Adult Female
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Striped Honeyeater
Plectorhyncha lanceolata


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Thank you Jenny Donald for confirming the id of this species for us

We were looking through some new photo's to try and improve the examples posted when we noticed a bare skin patch at the back of the eye. Similar to the White-fronted honeyeater, but it's grey with the Striped rather than red. Then we noticed on the other eye that the bare patch was on the front of the eye.
THIS IS STRANGE.
So we looked more closely at the old photo's and found exactly the same thing.
Hmmm .... so is this an asymetrical characteristic of the bird, or did we just happen to photograph the same specimen (with an abnormality) some 18 months apart?
We couldn't find any mention of it anywhere.
NO; we reckon we've worked it out. We think the bare skin becomes more, or less, obvious as the eye moves (ie compreses or stretches to follow they eye direction)
Wiki says the bare patch is brown. Looks grey to us.
Imaged 12(3J) in Apr(1), May(1), Jun(1), Aug(1), Sep(1), Oct(4), Nov(2J) & Dec(1J)
Front
Profile
Profile, back
Back
Top of Head
Bare Skin Eye patch, back
Bare Skin Eye patch, front
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater
Ptilotula ornata


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SynonymLichenostomus ornatus

Other Common NameMallee Honeyeater

Thank you Jack Morgan, Jenny Donald & Brendan Duggan for confirming the id of this species for us

Olive head with a thick yellow line (plume) under the ear.
Striated, buff breast. The back is striated-grey bleeding to yellow wings.
Imaged 42(6J) in Jan(1J), Mar(6), Apr(1J), May(7), Jun(4:1J), Jul(3), Aug(2), Sep(3), Oct(9:1J), Nov(5:1J) & Dec(1J)
Nest
Eggs
Chicks
Juvenile
Front
Ventral
Profile
Back
Raised Plume
In Flight
Totem Game
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
White-plumed Honeyeater
Ptilotula penicillata


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SynonymLichenostomus penicillatus

Thank you Brendan Duggan for confirming the id of this species for us

Yellow head. A thin black line highlights a thicker white line (the plume) below the ear.
Grey back with olive wings. Lightly striated, buff breast.
Imaged 13(3J) in May(1), Jun(4:1J), Jul(3:2J), Aug(3), Sep(1) & Oct(1)
🔍Juvenile, profile
Juvenile, front
Juvenile, back
Adult, front
Adult, ventral
Adult, profile
Adult, Feeding
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
White-fronted Honeyeater
Purnella albifrons


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SynonymPhylidonyris albifrons

Thank you Jenny Donald & John Oliver for confirming the id of this species for us

Raucous. Pronounced yellow & white stripes on black wings. Red spot above back corner of eye.
Imaged 17(5J) in Jan(3J), Apr(1), Jun(2), Jul(2), Aug(1), Sep(2:1J) & Oct(6:1J)
Fledgling
Juvenile
🔍Head
Front
Back
Drinking Nectar
Top of Head
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Honeyeater
Meliphagidae
  (24 species
    18 from Ellura)
Black Honeyeater
Sugomel niger


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SynonymSugomel nigrum

Thank you Stephen Fricker & Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

A very twitchy honeyeater, which was being harassed by the other local birds.
Chris Steeles, the founder of the South Aussie Birding facebook group, said "The dry outback has forced them down south! Quite a few here and there on the Adelaide plains atm too!". He also agreed this was possibly why we also saw a Crimson Chat for the first time a fortnight ago.
Imaged 2 in Nov
Our one and only shot
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Monarch Flycatcher
Monarchidae
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
Magpie Flycatcher
Grallina cyanoleuca


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Other Common NamesMagpie-lark, Mudlark, Murray Magpie or Peewee

Thank you Dezmond Wells for confirming the id of this species for us

The genders are easy to differential. The males have a horizontal line through the eye, the females have a vertical line through the eye.
Kudos to Bruce Blackwell for the common name. They aren't Magpies and can be found in many areas of SA, away from the river. They aren't larks, or closely related to the Australian Magpie (even if they have a superficially similar appearance). They are a Flycatcher (surprisingly) and so the common name should reflect that.
The common name Mudlark might come from the fact they make mud nests.
Imaged 5(2M,3F) in Mar(1M), Apr(1M), Aug(2F) & Oct(1F)
Female, anterior
Female, back
Female Building a Mud Nest
🔍Male
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Monarch Flycatcher
Monarchidae
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
Restless Flycatcher
Myiagra inquieta


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Other Common NameScissor grinder

Thank you Stephen Fricker & Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us

You'd think this was related to the Willie Wagtail. Very similar on first sighting. But they have a white throat, compared to the Willies black throat.
From the front they also look like a White-winged Triller. But the Triller has white patches on it's wings compared with the solid blue/black of the Flycatcher.
Imaged 7 in Feb(1), May(2), Jul(1), Aug(2) & Dec(1)
Nest
Nesting
Blue Crown
Front
Profile, with blue sheen
Buff breast feathers
Attacking a Brown Falcon
Ow, that hurt
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Pipit & Wagtail
Motacillidae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Australasian Pipit
Anthus (Anthus) novaeseelandiae


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SynonymAnthus australis

Other Common NameRichard's Pipit

Similar Species: Olive-backed Oriole (Oriolus sagittatus ssp sagittatus) : Brown Songlark (Cincloramphus (Cincloramphus) cruralis)
Thank you Thomas Mesaglio & Sam Gordon for confirming the id of this species for us

Chestnut scales and grey under. White brow and beard join behind the eye (not always visible).
Imaged 4(1J) in May(1), Aug(1), Sep(1) & Oct(1J)
Adult, anterior
Adult, profile
Juvi, profile
Juvi, back
Juvi, Head
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Flowerpecker
Nectariniidae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Mistletoebird
Dicaeum hirundinaceum


iNaturalist
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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Stunning little birds these with the female being grey-brown with cherry red rump. The male having a bright red throat and rump with dark satin blue dinner jacket. Short tail.
They make their nests out of spiderweb!
We have presented our photo's here in cronological order to get a perspective of their mating cycle.
Imaged 14(6M,5F,3J) in Jan(5:1M,1F,3J), Mar(1M), May(1M), Aug(1M), Nov(2:1M,1F) & Dec(4:1M,3F)
Female, back
🔍Male, anterior
Male, Calling for a Mate
🔍Female, Collecting Spiderweb
🔍Male, Standing Guard over the nest
Female, Standing Guard over the nest
Female, Head
Female, Sitting on Eggs
Male, Blue Sheen on Back
Female, Feeding Chicks
3 Happy Chicks
Male, After Feeding
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Sittella
Neosittidae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Varied Sittella
Daphoenositta chrysoptera ssp pileata


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Thank you Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us

Ours are the "Black-capped Race"
Often upside down. Very pretty black & white chequered rump. Yellow legs, beak and eye-ring.
Orange stripe on its wings when flying.
Upturned beak.
Female is actually prettier than the male.
Imaged 17(9M,6F,1J) in Jan(2:1M,1F), Mar(1M), Apr(1F), May(1M), Jul(4:2M,1F), Aug(3:2M,1F), Sep(2:1M) & Oct(3:1M,2F,1J)
Male, front with lunch
Male, profile, hunting
Male, profile, caught a snack
Male, profile
Male, tail pattern & wing stripe
Male, diamonds in the scrub
Male, ventral, a different look
Male, back, closed wings
Male, back, showing white rump
Male, feeding chicks
🔍Female, upside down
Female, back
Female, sitting in nest
Female feeding juvenile
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Bell Bird
Oreoididae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Southern Crested Bellbird
Oreoica gutturalis ssp gutturalis


iNaturalist
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Thank you John Oliver & David Mules for confirming the id of this species for us

Females are similar in appearance to a Grey Shrike-thrush.
Males are unmistakable with a white chin and black breast.
Their song is quite metallic and resonates through Ellura when they visit.
Imaged 21(14M,4F,2J) in Feb(3M), Apr(2M), May(5:3M,1F), Jun(1M), Jul(1M), Aug(3M), Sep(1F), Oct(4:1M,2F,1J) & Nov(1J)
Video:
A Male Crested Bellbird. You can hear the 2 keys it uses in it's full song. There is also a Rufous Songlark in the tree and another right next to me that I didn't know about (32Mb)
Fledgling
Juvenile, back
Juvenile, profile
Male, front
Male, front
Male, profile
Male, back
Female, profile
Female, profile
Female, back
Size compared with Red Wattle Bird
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Oriole
Oriolidae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Olive-backed Oriole
Oriolus sagittatus ssp sagittatus


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Similar Species: Australasian Pipit (Anthus (Anthus) novaeseelandiae)
Thank you Ralph Foster & Thomas Mesaglio for confirming the id of this species for us

About the size of a small Red Wattlebird.
Sorry for the terrible photo's, but it was through the caravan window & flyscreen. It was gone before we could get out the door.
Very difficult to find the id on this one, but that's because it's a juvenile. Adults look quite different.
Imaged 1 in Apr
🔍Juvenile profile
🔍Juvenile anterior
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Whistler
Pachycephalidae
  (4 species
    4 from Ellura)
Grey Shrike-thrush
Colluricincla harmonica ssp harmonica


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Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli & David Mules for confirming the id of this species for us

What a song. Pretty, but plain-coloured (grey shades)
Juveniles: rufous eye + breast markings.
Males have a white patch between the eyes and the beak (ie the lores). But this patch isn't easy to see, depending on lighting. So seeing a white lores means you have a male, while not seeing a white lores doesn't guarantee you have a female.
The female has a white eye ring.
Both genders sing, not just the male.
Imaged 31(8M,4F,5J) in Jan(2:1M,1J), Feb(1J), Apr(2:1M), May(1M), Jul(12:5M,2F), Sep(10:2F,1J), Oct(2:1J) & Dec(1J)
Video:
Grey Shrike-thrush call (9Mb)
Fledgling Grey Shrike-thrush calling (6Mb)
Male Grey Shrike-thrushes in a singing competition; there must be a female around ;-) (6Mb)
Fledgling Front
Fledgling Profile
Juvenile Front
Juvenile Profile
🔍Female Adult Profile
Male Adult Profile
Male Adult Back
🔍Male Adult White Lores
Male Adult Grey Lores
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Whistler
Pachycephalidae
  (4 species
    4 from Ellura)
South Australian Golden Whistler
Pachycephala fuliginosa ssp fuliginosa


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Other Common NameSouth Australian Western Whistler

Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us

A small whistler, with an olive back.
The male has a black head that contrasts starkly with the golden yellow under and neck ring. White chin and black throat bar.
The female has drab brown tones by comparison.
Imaged 19(4M,14F,2J) in Apr(1F), May(1F), Jun(3:3F,1J), Jul(8:2M,5F,1J), Aug(5:1M,4F) & Sep(1M)
Video:
Female Golden Whistler whistling (6Mb)
Female Golden Whistler singing (3Mb)
Female, front
Female, profile
Female, back
Male, front
🔍Male, proud!
Male, profile, front
🔍Male, profile, back
🔍Male, back
Male, ventral
🔍Male, hunting
Male, thickhead
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Whistler
Pachycephalidae
  (4 species
    4 from Ellura)
Gilbert's Whistler
Pachycephala inornata


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Thank you Ralph Foster, Jo Jo Swann, Tony and Jenny Dominelli, George Seagull & Brendan Duggan for confirming the id of this species for us

They throw their voices, so hard to find. Beautiful, loud song.
Apricot chin & rump. Has a blue-grey / steel-grey head, with a brown / grey back.
Similar to Grey Shrike-thrush from behind.
Imaged 12(6M,2F,4J) in May(1J), Jun(2M), Jul(5:1M,1F,3J), Aug(1F), Sep(1M), Oct(1M) & Dec(1M)
Video:
Female Gilbert's Whistler singing (8Mb)
A female Gilbert's Whistler calling (3Mb)
Female, Red Eye
Female, Back
🔍Male, Profile
Male, Posterior
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Whistler
Pachycephalidae
  (4 species
    4 from Ellura)
Southern Rufous Whistler
Pachycephala rufiventris ssp rufiventris


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Thank you David Mules for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 27(20M,6F,10J) in Mar(1M), Apr(4:4M,2J), May(1:1M,1J), Jun(1M), Jul(3:3M,1J), Aug(2M), Sep(6:4M,1F,3J), Oct(7:3M,4F,2J) & Dec(2:1M,1F,1J)
Video:
A Male Rufous Whistler Singing (20Mb)
🔍Juvenile Male, ventral
Immature Male, profile
Immature Male, striated chin
Male, back
Female, front
Female, profile
Female, back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Pardalote
Pardalotidae
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
Spotted Pardalote
Pardalotus punctatus


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Other Common NamesDiamondbird or Yellow-rumped Pardalote.

Thank you Andrew Allen, Geoffrey Cox & Jenny Donald for confirming the id of this species for us

What beautifully rich-coloured rumps these have; red through apricot to yellow.
Male has a deep yellow breast, while the female's is buff. Both have spotted black crowns, white brows and grey-dappled cheeks.
Forewings are pale-yellow dappled on grey / black. Hindwings are white-spotted / white-blotched on black.
Imaged 18(10M,6F,1J) in Jan(1J), Feb(1M), Apr(8:5M,2F), Jul(2:1M,1F), Aug(2:1M,1F), Sep(1F), Oct(2M) & Dec(1F)
Video:
Spotted Pardalote eating lerps (5Mb)
Spotted Pardalote calling (5Mb)
Male Front
Male Profile
🔍Male Singing
Female
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Pardalote
Pardalotidae
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
Striated Pardalote
Pardalotus striatus


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Other Common NamesChip-chip, Wittachew or Pickwick.

Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us

Attractive array of yellow, grey, fawn, black + a red dot. Its monotonous call gets very tedious when raising chicks.
Black crown with usually white, but occasionally yellow streaks.
A red spot on its wings shows up in photos when perched.
Imaged 31(6J) in Jan(1J), Mar(2J), Apr(2J), May(8), Jun(2), Jul(2), Aug(1), Sep(3), Oct(7), Nov(2) & Dec(1J)
Juvenile
Front
Profile
Back
Head
Red Markings
Under-wing
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Sparrow
Passeridae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus


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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in May
Female
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Robin
Petroicidae
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Southern Scrub-robin
Drymodes brunneopygia


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Thank you John Oliver for confirming the id of this species for us

Runs a lot. Doesn't fly much. Well camouflaged at the base of bushes.
Imaged 7(2J) in Jan(1J), Mar(1J), Jul(1), Sep(2) & Nov(2)
Video:
Southern Scrub-robin foraging & clucking (6Mb)
Southern Scrub-robin calling (7Mb)
Egg
Nesting
Hatchling Chick
Juvenile, profile
Juvenile, Calling
Juvenile, back
🔍Adult, profile
Adult, anterior
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Robin
Petroicidae
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Hooded Robin
Melanodryas cucullata ssp cucullata


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Similar Species: Jacky Winter (Microeca fascinans ssp fascinans)
Thank you Ralph Foster & LeithallB for confirming the id of this species for us

Male is black & white.
Females & juveniles are grey and white. Very similar to Jacky Winters, but greyer, with white markings on the back.
Imaged 33(12M,13F,10J) in Jan(6:2M,2F,5J), Apr(1M), Jun(3:2F), Jul(8:3M,4F), Aug(5:3M,2F), Sep(4:1M,3F), Oct(1), Nov(2J) & Dec(3:2M,3J)
Fledgling
Fledgling
Juvenile
Female Back
Male, Front
🔍Male Profile
Male, Front
Male Back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Robin
Petroicidae
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Jacky Winter
Microeca fascinans ssp fascinans


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Similar Species: Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata ssp cucullata)
Thank you Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us

A plain but petite, pretty bird. Unlike the hooded robin they have a white throat.
They are also more buff/fawn.
When seen from a distance, their breast often looks to have brown sides, with a white vertical stripe. Like it's wearing an open jacket.
Imaged 18(4J) in Jan(2:1J), Apr(1), May(1), Jun(2), Jul(2), Aug(3:1J), Sep(4:1J), Oct(1) & Dec(2:1J)
Video:
A Jacky Winter calling (3Mb)
A Jacky Winter chatting (5Mb)
A Jacky Winter complaining about a Pallid Cuckoo (9Mb)
The usual call from a Jacky Winter (4Mb)
Jacky Winter singing (13Mb)
Jacky Winter calling for a while. I've often been confused with them, and now realise they have many similar calls. We've tried to highlight them with these videos (19Mb)
Fledgling
Juvenile
Juvenile
In Flight
🔍Profile
🔍Back
🔍Front
Head
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Robin
Petroicidae
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Scarlet Robin
Petroica boodang ssp boodang


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Thank you LeithallB for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in May
🔍White Cap
Profile
🔍Ventral
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Robin
Petroicidae
  (5 species
    4 from Ellura)
Red-capped Robin
Petroica goodenovii


iNaturalist
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Thank you LeithallB for confirming the id of this species for us

Female is a pretty, petite bird. Male has bright red cap and breast, black wings & back. White under.
It's easy to miss the red cap when it is turned slightly away.
Imaged 29(17M,8F,5J) in Jan(1:1M,1J), Apr(4:2M,1F,1J), May(6:4M,2F), Jun(5:3M,1F), Jul(2:1M,1F), Aug(5:2M,3F,1J), Sep(3:2M,1J), Oct(1M) & Nov(2:1M,1J)
Fledgling
Juvenile Male
Female, anterior
Female, profile
🔍Male, profile
Male, profile
🔍Male, profile
Male, Cap
Male, anterior
Male, Back
Wing Stripe
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Babbler
Pomatostomidae
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
Chestnut-crowned Babbler
Pomatostomus ruficeps


iNaturalist
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Thank you Petra Hanke for confirming the id of this species for us

Very similar to the more common white-browed babbler. Easy to miss-identify.
However the white lines on the back guarantee Chestnut-crowned vs white-browed.
Both have white tips on their tails making them look like fan-tails when they fly.
Generally run, skip and hop along the ground. A sentry sits up in a nearby bush to warn those on the ground of danger.
Imaged 24(2M,2J) in Jan(2:1J), Feb(2), May(4), Jun(1), Jul(4), Aug(3), Sep(4:1J), Nov(3:2M) & Dec(1)
Video:
Chestnut-crowned Babbler foraging (12Mb)
Fledgling
Front
Now that's just rude
🔍Profile
🔍Top of Head
🔍Startled
🔍Back (being silly)
Fighting
Having a shower
Nest
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Australasian Babbler
Pomatostomidae
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
White-browed Babbler
Pomatostomus superciliosus


iNaturalist
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Thank you Petra Hanke, George Seagull & Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

Always chatting. Skipping from one bush to the next.
A look-out in a nearby tree keeps them out of camera range

Imaged 32(5M,5F,1J) in Jan(1), Mar(2), May(4:1M,1F), Jun(1), Jul(7:1M,1F), Aug(4:1M,1F), Sep(8:2M,2F), Oct(4:1J) & Dec(1)
Fledgling
🔍Head
Profile, back
Brown Eye
Front
Chin up
Courting
Collecting nest material
Caught a Hairy insect
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Quail-thrush
Psophodidae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Chestnut Quail-thrush
Cinclosoma castanotum


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameChestnut Backed Quail-thrush

Thank you IndraBone, John Oliver & Owen Lishmund for confirming the id of this species for us

Runs a lot. Easily confused with babbler, but much prettier when it stops.
Females have a blue-grey breast. In the males, the grey is replaced with a solid black, which contrasts with the white. White under, dark chestnut back.
A family regularly visits while we take a coffee break. They no longer seem too bothered by our presence.
Imaged 15(7M,6F,2J) in Feb(1M), May(2:1M,1F), Jul(2:1M,1F), Aug(7:4M,3F) & Oct(3:1F,2J)
Video:
This Male Quail-thrush is foraging for food, in the heat of the day. Notice it's wings are lifted for cooling. The sound is from a Spiny-cheeked honeyeater nearby (12Mb)
🔍Chick
Chick hiding in a Bush
Juvenile
Male, Running
🔍Male, profile
Male, Front
Male, Head
Male, Spying an Insect
Male, Back
Female, Profile
Female, Front
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Fantail
Rhipiduridae
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
Grey Fantail
Rhipidura albiscapa


iNaturalist
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Thank you Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

A great chirpy character. Smaller than Willie Wagtail, with a black "bow-tie" and a fawn breast.
The breast colour varies from white to pale apricot.
Has a white brow and chin.
Listed in Morcombe's as Rhipidura fuliginosa, but there's either an error or it's a change and so a synonym.
Imaged 17(4J) in Jan(2J), Feb(2J), Apr(2), May(3), Jun(3), Aug(1), Oct(2), Nov(1) & Dec(1)
Juvenile
Adult
Adult
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Fantail
Rhipiduridae
  (2 species
    2 from Ellura)
Willie Wagtail
Rhipidura leucophrys


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameWilly Wagtail

Thank you Reiner Richter, Andrew Allen & Jenny (8593) for confirming the id of this species for us

Cheeky.
White brow, faint white cheek line, jet-black head, with wing colour trailing to dark brown.
Imaged 30(1M,1F,3J) in Feb(3:2J), Apr(8), May(2), Jun(2), Jul(2), Aug(3), Sep(5:1M,1F), Oct(2) & Nov(3:1J)
Video:
A Willie Wagtail singing, then chattering (8Mb)
Nest
Eggs
Juvenile
Front
Thick Eyebrow
Profile
Ventral
Singing
Pair
A Pair Attacking a Raven
Attacking a Raven
Size
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
White-eye
Timaliidae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
South Australian Silvereye
Zosterops lateralis ssp pinarochrous


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameGrey-breasted Silvereye

Thank you Terra Occ for confirming the id of this species for us

Pretty green to grey to olive. White eye-ring isn't easily visible, surprisingly.
Imaged 18(1J) in Apr(2), May(2), Jun(5), Aug(2), Sep(1) & Oct(6:1J)
Video:
Silvereye singing (5Mb)
Chick
🔍Anterior
Profile
Profile
Back
Perching Birds
Passeriformes
  (89 species
    62 from Ellura)
Thrush
Turdidae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
South Australian Bassian Thrush
Zoothera lunulata ssp halmaturina


iNaturalist
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Other Common NamesGround Thrush, Scaly Thrush or White's Thrush

Thank you Josh Magro for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Mar
🔍Profile
🔍Profile
Chin
🔍Back
Rump
Pelicans
Pelecaniformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Darter
Anhingidae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Australian Darter
Anhinga novaehollandiae ssp novaehollandiae


iNaturalist
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Thank you Dianne Clarke for confirming the id of this species for us

Seems to be the only sub-species in Australia.
Imaged 3(1M,1F,1J) in Oct
🔍Juvenile
🔍Male, profile
🔍Male, Taking Off
Male, In Flight
Female, Drying Out
Pelicans
Pelecaniformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Pelican
Pelecanidae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Australian Pelican
Pelecanus conspicillatus


iNaturalist
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Thank you Kai Squires for confirming the id of this species for us

Huge beak to swallow fish whole. White, yellow eye-ring, blue legs & feet, black wings. Big water bird.
Woo Hoo we saw one fly over Ellura yesterday! You could have knocked us over with a feather

Imaged 6 in Jan(1), Jun(1), Sep(1), Oct(2) & Dec(1)
🔍Adult with Juvenile
🔍Adult Launching
🔍Underwing
🔍Above wing
Small Flock Overhead
Pelicans
Pelecaniformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Cormorant
Phalacrocoracidae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Little Pied Cormorant
Microcarbo melanoleucos


iNaturalist
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Thank you Thomas Mesaglio for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍In Flight
🔍Drying Out
Pelicans
Pelecaniformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Cormorant
Phalacrocoracidae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Black-faced Cormorant
Phalacrocorax (Anacarbo) fuscescens


iNaturalist
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Thank you Pete Woodall for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in May
Profile
Pelicans
Pelecaniformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Cormorant
Phalacrocoracidae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Little Black Cormorant
Phalacrocorax (Phalacrocorax) sulcirostris


iNaturalist
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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 3 in Mar(2) & Oct(1)
🔍Flying
Pelicans
Pelecaniformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Cormorant
Phalacrocoracidae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo


iNaturalist
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Thank you Dianne Clarke for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍Swimming
🔍Standing
Pelicans
Pelecaniformes
  (7 species
    1 from Ellura)
Cormorant
Phalacrocoracidae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Pied Cormorant
Phalacrocorax varius


iNaturalist
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Thank you Dianne Clarke for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Mar
Swimming
Taking Off
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Cockatoo
Cacatuidae
  (5 species
    2 from Ellura)
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Cacatua galerita


iNaturalist
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Thank you D Gordon E Robertson for confirming the id of this species for us

King of the parrots. Sulphur yellow head crest that raises when threatened. Otherwise all white.
Imaged 11 in Jan(1), May(1), Jun(1), Jul(1), Nov(1) & Dec(6)
Profile
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Cockatoo
Cacatuidae
  (5 species
    2 from Ellura)
Little Corella
Cacatua sanguinea


iNaturalist
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Thank you Antoni Camozzato & Tim (twan3253) for confirming the id of this species for us

Little terror more like. All white, with blue eye and red cere. Small white head crest.
Imaged 9 in Jan(1), May(1), Jun(2), Sep(2), Oct(1), Nov(1) & Dec(1)
Pair
In Flight
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Cockatoo
Cacatuidae
  (5 species
    2 from Ellura)
Long-billed Corella
Cacatua tenuirostris


iNaturalist
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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Jan
Red Forehead
Red Throat
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Cockatoo
Cacatuidae
  (5 species
    2 from Ellura)
Galah
Eolophus roseicapilla


iNaturalist
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SynonymsCacatua roseicapilla or Eolophus roseicapillus

Thank you Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us

Pink breast, grey back and wings. Noisy bugger. They have character.
The main difference between the genders is the eye colour (male's are black/dark brown & female's are red/light brown).
Notice in the photo's both crest up and down, as well as cheek feathers covering the beak or not.
The male bobbing up and down is probably a sign of territory defence.
Imaged 89(10M,9F,1J) in Feb(24:1M), Apr(3:1M,2F), May(2), Jun(3:2M), Jul(21:1F), Aug(22:5M,4F), Sep(3:1M,1F), Oct(9:1J), Nov(1) & Dec(1F)
Video:
Galahs being galahs (6Mb)
A chick talking to it's parents (3Mb)
Galahs flying in (4Mb)
Male, front
Male, back
🔍Male, Head Bobbing 1
Male, Head Bobbing 2
🔍Female, Under-wing
Female Front
Female, profile
Female, Crest
Flying
Landing
Nest Entrance
14 Roosting
🔍Chick, profile
🔍Chick, Face
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Cockatoo
Cacatuidae
  (5 species
    2 from Ellura)
Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
Zanda funerea


iNaturalist
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SynonymCalyptorhynchus funereus

Thank you Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 30(8M,7F,1J) in Jan(1F), Mar(14:2M,1F), Oct(6:2M,2F,1J) & Dec(9:4M,3F)
Male feeding juvenile
Male (red eye ring)
🔍Female
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Parrot
Psittacidae
  (9 species
    7 from Ellura)
Australian Ringneck
Barnardius zonarius ssp barnardi


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Other Common NameMallee Ringneck

Thank you Asimakis Patitsas for confirming the id of this species for us

Ours are the "Mallee Race"
When flying away they are an iridescent display of vivid green and black tips.
Have a variable width yellow band around their necks. Starts quite thick near the ear to very thin on the back.
Beautiful array of deep blues and iridescent greens, with splashes of red & yellow thrown in for good measure.
The males have a much deeper blue back than the females. The male's green areas tend to be more lime green as well; but this is not easy to see.
Imaged 18(6M,3F,2J) in Mar(5:2M,2F,1J), May(4:1F), Jun(1M), Jul(2:1M), Aug(2:1M), Sep(2:1J) & Oct(2:1M)
Video:
A Ringneck Wagging it's tail (3Mb)
Ringneck spreading it's tail (5Mb)
Ringnecks; We've only seen the adults feed juveniles when the juveniles ask. Here the male is feeding the female unprovoked, so suspect a courting ritual (18Mb)
Fledgling
Male, front, tail wagging
Male, front, foraging
Male, profile
Male, profile
🔍Male, back
Female, front
Female, head
Female, back
Pair, having a drink
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Parrot
Psittacidae
  (9 species
    7 from Ellura)
Musk Lorikeet
Glossopsitta concinna


iNaturalist
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Thank you Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us

Easily confused with the Purple-crowned. The other sub-species is in Tasmania only.
Imaged 2 in Jan(1) & Jun(1)
Anterior
A pair
Profile
Eye
Amber back
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Parrot
Psittacidae
  (9 species
    7 from Ellura)
Blue-winged Parrot
Neophema chrysostoma


iNaturalist
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Thank you Matt Campbell for confirming the id of this species for us

These are very similar to Elegan Parrots (Neophema elegans), which is not surprising given they are in the same sub-genus.
When commenting on the differences between these & Elegant Parrots, Matt said "The blue on the wings appears as mostly one shade (in the Elegant there is a definite two-toned pattern on the wing) and the band across the face does not extend beyond the eye as it does in an Elegant :)"
Imaged 1 in Nov
Posterior
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Parrot
Psittacidae
  (9 species
    7 from Ellura)
Purple-crowned Lorikeet
Parvipsitta porphyrocephala


iNaturalist
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SynonymGlossopsitta porphyrocephala

Thank you Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

Small parrot. When flying over it's hard to discern the colour. This is because it's pale blue.
Easy to miss them being parrots until you hear them.
Brilliant yellow cheeks, red lores (the patch between the eye and the beak), green backs & purple-crown (as the name suggests).
Imaged 45(1J) in Jan(3), Feb(19), Mar(1J), Apr(7), Jun(1), Jul(6), Sep(1) & Nov(7)
Video:
Purple-crowned Lorikeets making their usual racket ;-) (5Mb)
This clip is mainly for the sound, but it also shows how they typically appear (6Mb)
Purple-crowned Lorikeets flying over; the usual way we see them (2Mb)
Front
Profile
Back
Dorsal
Under Wing
Flock Feeding
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Parrot
Psittacidae
  (9 species
    7 from Ellura)
Crimson Rosella
Platycercus elegans


iNaturalist
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Other Common NamesAdelaide Rosella or Yellow Rosella

Thank you P Sweet for confirming the id of this species for us

Colours are highly variable, from dull yellows to brilliant red front with blue highlights (wing coverts, tail + throat).
Black & olive dabbled back.
Females are duller than their male partner.
In the Mallee they are often seen cohorting with Ringneck Parrots.
There is often discussion of the Adelaide & Yellow Rosella being a sub-species/race. This changes so often that we've left it at the higher level of species to always be accurate. If it is finally ratified, once and for all, that there is are Adelaide & Yellow sub-species, these would fall into the Adelaide / Fleurieu category.
Imaged 18(4J) in Jan(1J), Mar(2:1J), Apr(3), May(2:1J), Jun(1), Jul(2), Aug(2), Sep(2), Oct(2) & Dec(1J)
Back, Redder
Front, Redder
Front, Paler
🔍Profile, Paler
Back, Paler
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Parrot
Psittacidae
  (9 species
    7 from Ellura)
Eastern Regent Parrot
Polytelis anthopeplus ssp monarchoides


iNaturalist
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Thank you Ralph Foster for confirming the id of this species for us

A beautiful parrot (similar in size to our Ringnecks) with the males being golden yellow. Females & juveniles are olive green. They have very dark blue (almost black) wings (with red patches) and tail that contrasts starkly with the yellows & green. Like a cherry that tops off a fruit salad; they have a large red beak.
It is believed we only get the males & immatures here, as the males forage for food to take back to the nesting females. They travel here in a creche in the morning, returning to their nests in the afternoon. This year (Nov, 2018) the've been returning in the PM as well, we've had a drought so perhaps struggling to find enough food
Due to our observations & photos, Beyeria opaca has been added to their food list.
Normally only visiting from October, due to the very wet summer/autumn we saw them in May this year (2014).
We've looked at the food they eat. They seem to eat the green nuts, with dried ones readily falling off the bush with their feeding disturbance. We also found some green fruit on the ground where the nut wouldn't come out, so assume they were too green. Very few dried shells on the ground, most were whole, indicating they don't try the dry fruit very much. When we opened this dry one, it was VERY tough and hard to open, perhaps too much for the parrots.
Imaged 56(3J) in Mar(1), Apr(4), Oct(8:2J), Nov(20:1J) & Dec(23)
Video:
Regent Parrot Eating Beyeria Nuts(2.2Mb)
Regent Parrot (2Mb)
🔍Juvenile
Front, ventral
Head
🔍Back
🔍6 Perched in a Mallee
2 Perched, with a Spiny-cheeked
🔍Launching
🔍2 Flying Overhead
🔍A Flock of 17, 14 in photo
🔍Eating Beyeria opaca fruit
🔍4 Eating Beyeria opaca fruit
🔍Beyeria Nut; too green to eat
🔍Beyeria Nut; too green to eat
🔍Beyeria Nut; too dry to eat
🔍Beyeria Nut; too dry to eat
🔍Beyeria Nut; too dry to eat
🔍Beyeria Nuts; left overs
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Parrot
Psittacidae
  (9 species
    7 from Ellura)
Red-rumped Parrot
Psephotus haematonotus


iNaturalist
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Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 9(3M,1F) in Apr(1), May(2:1M), Sep(1), Oct(1M) & Dec(4:1M,1F)
Male
Female
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Parrot
Psittacidae
  (9 species
    7 from Ellura)
Mulga Parrot
Psephotus varius


iNaturalist
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Thank you Andrew Allen for confirming the id of this species for us

Chatty colourful birds which nest in mallee tree hollows.
Iridescent aqua-green with red & yellow highlights, and intense blue wings.
Females are duller than the males, having a red "shoulder". Males have a yellow "shoulder"
Juveniles are distinguished by a lack of yellow above the beak (forehead), and are generally duller.
Imaged 67(30M,26F,5J) in Jan(2:2M,2J), Feb(1F), Apr(8:3M,2F), May(10:5M,5F), Jun(8:3M,4F), Jul(5:4M,1F), Aug(5:3M,2F), Oct(16:8M,6F,1J), Nov(9:1M,3F,2J) & Dec(3:1M,2F)
Video:
Mulga Parrots love drinking morning dew off the caravan roof, but these weren't so keen on us watching them (13Mb)
HOLLOWS ARE IMPORTANT
Immature Male
Immature Female
Immature Female Foraging
Male, font
Male, close up
🔍Male, profile, back
Male Foraging
🔍Male Eating Zygophyllum
Male Preening
Female, head
Female, front
Female, front
Female, profile, back
Female Foraging, colours in the sun
Female Foraging, duller with cloud
Female Eating Saltbush
Female, I luv my tree
Female Drinking Dew off our Car
Female Tail Fanning
A Pair
Female Preening her Mate
A flock of 10
Adult Male Feeding Juv Female
Size, compared to Ringneck
Parrots
Psittaciformes
  (14 species
    9 from Ellura)
Parrot
Psittacidae
  (9 species
    7 from Ellura)
Rainbow Lorikeet
Trichoglossus haematodus ssp moluccanus


iNaturalist
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SynonymTrichoglossus moluccanus

Thank you Andrew Allen & P Sweet for confirming the id of this species for us

Raucous. Orange beak, purple head + rump, yellow shoulder, bright green back, red breast
Imaged 9 in Jun(2), Sep(1), Nov(5) & Dec(1)
🔍Ventral
Profile
Back
Just hangin'
4 enjoying a Cootamundra Wattle
Penguins
Sphenisciformes
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Penguin
Spheniscidae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Little Penguin
Eudyptula minor
Na
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Other Common NamesFairy Penguin or Little Blue Penguin

Imaged 1 in Oct
Anterior, In a zoo
Posterior, In a zoo
Owls
Strigiformes
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
True Owl
Strigidae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Southern Boobook
Ninox novaeseelandiae boobook


iNaturalist
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SynonymsNinox boobook, Ninox boobook ssp boobook or Ninox novaeseelandiae

Other Common NameEast Australian Boobook

Thank you Brenna Farrell for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Apr
Face
In Profile
Breast
Owls
Strigiformes
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Barn-owl
Tytonidae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Australian Barn Owl
Tyto alba ssp delicatula


iNaturalist
LC
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SynonymTyto javanica

Thank you Max Kirsch for helping with the id of this species for us

This was Tyto javanica, which we thought went to Tyto alba ssp javanica; but Max highlighted to us that it went to Tyto alba ssp delicatula.
T. a. javanica is an Asian species not found in Australia.
Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍Face
Flightless Birds
Struthioniformes
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Emu
Casuariidae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Emu
Dromaius novaehollandiae


iNaturalist
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Thank you Antoni Camozzato & Teaa981 for confirming the id of this species for us

Big ugly bird, in fact the biggest Australian native bird, but perhaps not the ugliest

Runs very fast (up to 50km/hr), is very tall (nearly 2m) and timid.
They have a scruffy white collar in breeding season.
Their lower beak is serrated, designed for grazing.
The male looks after the eggs & young. While incubating them he doesn't eat, drink or defecate!
It's not generally possible to determine gender visually.
Imaged 12(1M,1F) in Jan(1), May(1), Jun(2), Jul(2:1M,1F), Sep(1), Oct(1), Nov(3) & Dec(1)
🔍Juveniles, profile
🔍7 Juveniles running away
Possibly Immature
🔍Adult, profile
🔍Adult Male with Young
🔍Adult Male, profile
Head

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