Ellura Sanctuary, Swan Reach, SA, 5354
                      
  
Stat'
Notes
Thumbnails: 1085.   167 native species (7 introduced) listed, with 97 natives (1 introduced) from Ellura
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Waterfowls (Anseriformes); 8 species, none from Ellura - Waterbird (Anatidae); 8 species, none from Ellura
Grey Teal
Anas (Nettion) gracilis ssp gracilis


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

Sometimes you may wonder about sub-species and their true nature. Thanks to Thomas Mesaglio who clarified this one by noting:
"The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World currently lists two ssp of grey teal, exactly as reflected in iNat. For the autonym, it says:
New Guinea to Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand
and for the other ssp:
Formerly Rennell (Solomon Islands). Extinct ca 1959
there is no uncertainty involving the subspecies of this species; both subspecies are valid entities, it just happens to be that one of them is now extinct and so by default every single observation that gets uploaded falls into only one of the subspecies. All sources agree on this: AFD, ALA, iNat, Clements, and all other major bird lists too."
Imaged 54(2M,2F) in Jan(2:1M,1F), Mar(2:1M,1F) & Jul(50)
🔍Standing
Standing
🔍Swimming
🔍Swimming
🔍Small Flock
🔍Large Flock
Chestnut Teal
Anas castanea


iNaturalist
RA
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Thank you George Seagull & Josh Martin (BioShots_JM) for confirming the id of this species for us

Males have a dark green head, as can be seen here. Females have a pale brown head.
Imaged 2 in Jul(1) & Oct(1)
Male, In a zoo
🔍Male
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
White-eyed Duck
Aythya australis
NT
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Other Common NameHardhead

Imaged 2 in Oct
Male
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
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
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 10(5J) in Jan(1), Mar(1), Jul(1), Aug(1) & Oct(6:5J)
Profile
🔍Posterior
Head, anterior
Head, profile
Defensive Behaviour
🔍Parent with Signets
Australian Shelduck
Tadorna tadornoides
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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)
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Owlet-nightjars (Apodiformes); 1 species from Ellura - Owlet-nightjar (Aegothelidae); 1 species from Ellura
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles (Aegotheles) cristatus ssp cristatus


iNaturalist
LC
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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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Nightbirds (Caprimulgiformes); 2 species from Ellura - Nightjar (Caprimulgidae); 1 species 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Nightbirds (Caprimulgiformes); 2 species from Ellura - Frogmouth (Podargidae); 1 species from Ellura
Tawny Frogmouth
Podargus strigoides


iNaturalist
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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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Coastal Birds (Charadriiformes); 8 species, none from Ellura - Thick-knees (Burhinidae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Bush Stone-curlew
Burhinus grallarius
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Other Common NameBush Thick-knee

Imaged 1 in Oct
In a zoo
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Coastal Birds (Charadriiformes); 8 species, none from Ellura - Plover (Charadriidae); 2 species, none from Ellura
Black-fronted Dotterel
Elseyornis melanops


iNaturalist
RA
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SynonymCharadrius melanops

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

Imaged 1 in Apr
Profile
Posterior
Banded Lapwing
Vanellus tricolor
NT
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Imaged 1 in Oct
In a zoo
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Coastal Birds (Charadriiformes); 8 species, none from Ellura - Gull (Laridae); 4 species, none from Ellura
Australian Silver Gull
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae ssp novaehollandiae


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NameSeagull

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

Imaged 25(2J) in Jan(1), Feb(1), May(1), Jul(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
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
West Coast Pacific Gull
Larus pacificus ssp georgii


iNaturalist
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Other Common NamesSeagull or Western Pacific Gull

Thank you Tom Hunt (Moth_Nut) & George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us

You can see here this is a marked difference in the colouration between adults & juveniles; with the juveniles being a sooty grey colour, while the adults are stark white and grey/black.
There is a very similar introduced/cosmopolitan species, the Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus). Still quite rare in SA fortunately, and generally only found in the very south east & Kangaroo Island. The most obvious difference being that this one, the native species, has red on both the upper & lower beak; along with a black line on the upper beak.
Imaged 6(2J) in May(1) & Jul(5:2J)
🔍S2, Adult, profile, Squatting
🔍S3, Adult, profile, Standing
🔍S2, Adult, profile, Asleep
🔍S6, Juvenile, profile
🔍S2, Adult, Calling to it's Mate (S3)
🔍S4, Adult, Underwing
🔍S5, Juvenile, In Flight
🔍S4, Adult, Taking Off
🔍S4, Adult, anterior, Feet
🔍S1, Adult, posterior
Crested Tern
Thalasseus bergii ssp cristatus


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameGreat Crested Tern

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

Imaged 20 in Mar(10) & Jul(10)
🔍S18, Adult, profile
🔍S18, Adult, anterior
S1, In Flight, underwing
S1, In Flight
🔍S19, Adult, In Flight
Comparison with Silver Gulls
🔍Comparison with Cormorants
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Coastal Birds (Charadriiformes); 8 species, none from Ellura - Wader (Recurvirostridae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus
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SynonymHimantopus leucocephalus

Other Common NamePied Stilt

Imaged 1 in Oct
Adult, in a zoo
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Storks (Ciconiiformes); 7 species, 1 from Ellura - Heron (Ardeidae); 4 species, 1 from Ellura
Eastern Great Egret
Ardea alba ssp modesta


iNaturalist
VU
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SynonymsArdea alba or Ardea modesta

Thank you Fubberpish & Andrew Taylor for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 7 in Jul(3), Aug(1) & Oct(3)
🔍S5, Adult, profile
🔍S6, Adult, profile
🔍S1, Adult, anterior
S4, Adult, Stand up Comedian
S4, Squatting, Breeding Plumage starting
S2 Adult, In Flight
S1, Adult, Gape Line & Crick in neck
🔍S7, Adult, Crick in Neck
🔍S5, Adult, Head, above
🔍S6, Adult, Head, profile
S4, Adult, Feet
🔍S7, Adult, Foot, profile
🔍S7, Adult, Foot, above
S3, Adult, posterior
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
White-faced Heron
Egretta novaehollandiae


iNaturalist
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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
Australasian Nankeen Night-Heron
Nycticorax caledonicus ssp australasiae


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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Storks (Ciconiiformes); 7 species, 1 from Ellura - Ibis & Spoonbill (Threskiornithidae); 3 species, none 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
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
Australian White Ibis
Threskiornis moluccus ssp moluccus


iNaturalist
VU
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SynonymsThreskiornis molucca or Threskiornis molucca ssp 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Doves and Pigeons (Columbiformes); 5 species, 3 from Ellura - Dove and Pigeon (Columbidae); 5 species, 3 from Ellura
Eastern Peaceful Dove
Geopelia placida ssp placida


iNaturalist
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SynonymGeopelia striata ssp 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
Eastern Crested Pigeon
Ocyphaps lophotes ssp lophotes


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NameTopknot Pigeon

Thank you Alan Melville, Janet Whitington, Andrew Taylor & Josh Martin (BioShots_JM) for confirming the id of this species for us

Timid, white and grey; with amazing metallic purple & green colours on it's wings (in the right lighting).
Imaged 14(5M,5F) in May(1), Jun(1), Jul(4:2M,2F), Sep(2:1M,1F), Oct(3:1M,1F), Nov(1) & Dec(2:1M,1F)
🔍Profile
Pair
🔍Pair
🔍Eye Ring
🔍Pair in Courtship
🔍Pair in Courtship
🔍Pair in Courtship
🔍Pair in Courtship
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 16(10M,4F) in Feb(2M), Jul(2:1M,1F), Sep(2:1M,1F), Oct(5:3M,2F), Nov(3:1M,1E) & 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
Spotted Turtle-dove
Spilopelia chinensis


iNaturalist
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SynonymStreptopelia chinensis

Thank you Thomas Mesaglio, George Seagull & Josh Martin (BioShots_JM) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2 in Jul(1) & Nov(1)
Laughing Dove
Spilopelia senegalensis


iNaturalist
If
SynonymStreptopelia senegalensis

Other Common NameStreptopelia

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

Photographed in a Zoo
Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍Anterior
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Kingfishers (Coraciiformes); 4 species, 2 from Ellura - Tree Kingfisher (Alcedinidae); 3 species, 1 from Ellura
Laughing Kookaburra
Dacelo (Dacelo) novaeguineae ssp 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
Red-backed Kingfisher
Todiramphus (Cyanalcyon) 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
Australian Sacred Kingfisher
Todiramphus (Todiramphus) sanctus ssp 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Kingfishers (Coraciiformes); 4 species, 2 from Ellura - Bee-eater (Meropidae); 1 species from Ellura
Rainbow Bee-eater
Merops (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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Cuckoos (Cuculiformes); 5 species, 4 from Ellura - Cuckoo (Cuculidae); 5 species, 4 from Ellura
Australian Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Cacomantis (Vidgenia) flabelliformis ssp 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
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
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 (Chalcites lucidus ssp plagosus) : 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
Shining Bronze-cuckoo
Chalcites lucidus ssp plagosus


iNaturalist
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SynonymChrysococcyx 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
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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Birds of Prey (Falconiformes); 12 species, 11 from Ellura - Eagle & Hawk (Accipitridae); 8 species, 7 from Ellura
Southern Brown Goshawk
Accipiter (Leucospiza) fasciatus ssp fasciatus


iNaturalist
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Similar Species: Australian Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter (Paraspizias) cirrocephalus ssp 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
Australian Collared Sparrowhawk
Accipiter (Paraspizias) cirrocephalus ssp cirrocephalus


iNaturalist
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Similar Species: Southern Brown Goshawk (Accipiter (Leucospiza) fasciatus ssp 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
Mainland Wedge-tailed Eagle
Aquila (Uroaetus) audax ssp audax


iNaturalist
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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
Spotted Harrier
Circus assimilis


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

Imaged 1 in Sep
Dorsal
Ventral
Black-shouldered Kite
Elanus axillaris


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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
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
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
Australian Black Kite
Milvus migrans ssp affinis


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Other Common NamesFork-tailed Kite or Torresian Black Kite

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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Birds of Prey (Falconiformes); 12 species, 11 from Ellura - Falcon (Falconidae); 4 species from Ellura
Inland Australian Hobby
Falco (Falco) longipennis ssp murchisonianus


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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
Eastern Brown Falcon
Falco (Ieracidea) berigora ssp berigora


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Other Common NameAustralian Brown Falcon

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
Australian Nankeen Kestrel
Falco (Tinnunculus) cenchroides ssp 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
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus ssp macropus


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Thank you Andrew Allen & Sean Cozart (BirdWisperer) 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Gamefowl (Galliformes); 1 species, none from Ellura - Pheasant & Partridge (Phasianidae); 1 species, none 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Cranes (Gruiformes); 4 species, none from Ellura - Rails (Rallidae); 4 species, none from Ellura
Australasian Coot
Fulica atra ssp australis


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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 5 in Mar(1), Jul(2) & Aug(2)
Small Facial Shield
Profile
Large Facial Shield
Lobed Feet
Australian Dusky Moorhen
Gallinula (Gallinula) tenebrosa ssp 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
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 George Seagull, Bradley W. Jones & Josh Martin (BioShots_JM) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 6(1M,1F) in Apr(1), Jul(1), Sep(1) & Oct(3:1M,1F)
🔍Adult, profile
🔍Adult, profile
Pair, Wading
🔍Adult, Face Shield
Adult, Feet
🔍Adult, posterior
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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Australasian Warbler (Acanthizidae); 10 species, 5 from Ellura
Buff-rumped Thornbill
Acanthiza (Geobasileus) reguloides ssp australis


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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
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
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
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
Yellow Thornbill
Acanthiza nana


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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
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
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 16(2M) in Jan(1), Apr(1), May(3:2M), Jun(3), Jul(5), Sep(2) & Oct(1)
🔍Profile
Profile
Front
Back
In Flight
Fighting
🔍Nest
South-eastern Southern Whiteface
Aphelocephala leucopsis ssp 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
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 6(3M,1F) in Sep(4:3M,1F) & Nov(2)
Male, profile
Male, anterior
Female
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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 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
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
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,2E)
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
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 4(1J) in Jan(1), May(2:1J) & Nov(1)
Juvenile, front
🔍Juvenile, profile
Adult, front
Adult, ventral
🔍Adult, back
Inland Grey Butcherbird
Cracticus torquatus ssp leucopterus


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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
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 78(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), Nov(1) & 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
Black-winged Currawong
Strepera versicolor ssp melanoptera


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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
🔍Nest
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Cuckoo-shrike (Campephagidae); 2 species from Ellura
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Coracina novaehollandiae


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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
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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Cisticola (Cisticolidae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Golden-headed Cisticola
Cisticola (Cisticola) exilis ssp 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Australian Treecreeper (Climacteridae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura
Inland Brown Treecreeper
Climacteris (Climacteris) picumnus ssp 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
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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 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
Southern Apostlebird
Struthidea cinerea ssp 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Crow (Corvidae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura
Australian Raven
Corvus coronoides


iNaturalist
NT
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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
Little Raven
Corvus mellori


iNaturalist
LC
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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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Weaver-finch (Estrildidae); 4 species, none from Ellura
Chestnut-Breasted Mannikin
Lonchura castaneothorax


iNaturalist
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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
Red-browed Firetail
Neochmia temporalis ssp temporalis


iNaturalist
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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
Diamond Firetail
Stagonopleura guttata


iNaturalist
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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
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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - True Finch (Fringillidae); 1 species, none from Ellura
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis


iNaturalist
If
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Thank you John Glover for confirming the id of this species for us

It's difficult to separate out the males and females.
Males have more red on the face above the eye; towards the rear.
Imaged 2M in Jun(1M) & Nov(1M)
🔍S2, Male, anterior
🔍S2, Male, profile
🔍S2, Male, back
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Swallow (Hirundinidae); 3 species from Ellura
Eastern Welcome Swallow
Hirundo (Hirundo) neoxena ssp neoxena


iNaturalist
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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
Fairy Martin
Petrochelidon ariel


iNaturalist
RA
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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
Tree Martin
Petrochelidon nigricans


iNaturalist
NT
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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 75(3J) in Jan(5), Apr(2), Oct(2), 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Australian Fairy-wren (Maluridae); 4 species, 2 from Ellura
Inland Purple-backed Fairy-wren
Malurus (Leggeornis) 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 21(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(2:1M) & 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
Mainland White-winged Fairy-wren
Malurus (Musciparus) leucopterus ssp leuconotus


iNaturalist
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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
South Australian Superb Fairy-wren
Malurus cyaneus ssp leggei


iNaturalist
LC
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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
Black-backed Fairy-wren
Malurus splendens ssp melanotus


iNaturalist
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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 22(15M,5F,2J) in Jan(2M), Feb(1M), May(1:1M,1J), Jun(2:1M), Jul(4:2M,2F,1J), Aug(3:2M), 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Warbler (Megaluridae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura
Brown Songlark
Cincloramphus (Cincloramphus) cruralis


iNaturalist
LC
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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
Rufous Songlark
Cincloramphus (Maclennania) mathewsi


iNaturalist
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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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Honeyeater (Meliphagidae); 24 species, 18 from Ellura
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
Acanthagenys rufogularis


iNaturalist
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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
Eastern Spinebill
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris


iNaturalist
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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
Little Wattlebird
Anthochaera (Anellobia) chrysoptera


iNaturalist
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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 7(2J) in Jul(1) & Oct(6:2J)
🔍Searching for Food
🔍Adult, Profile
🔍Adult, Back
🔍Immature
🔍Orange Underwing
🔍Very Long Tongue
Red Wattlebird
Anthochaera carunculata


iNaturalist
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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 48(2J) in Jan(12), Apr(3), May(2), Jun(3), Jul(1), Aug(2), Sep(16:1J), 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
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Caligavis chrysops


iNaturalist
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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
Pied Honeyeater
Certhionyx variegatus


iNaturalist
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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
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Entomyzon cyanotis ssp cyanotis
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Imaged 1 in Oct
In a zoo
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
Crimson Chat
Epthianura tricolor


iNaturalist
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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
South-eastern Singing Honeyeater
Gavicalis virescens ssp sonorus


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SynonymLichenostomus virescens

Thank you Terra Occ & Josh Magro (JMag1) 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 22(1J) in Jan(1), Apr(5:1J), May(3), Jun(3), Jul(2), Aug(1), Oct(5) & Nov(2)
Front
Profile
🔍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
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
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
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 9 in Jan(1), May(2), Jun(1), Sep(2), Nov(2) & Dec(1)
Profile
🔍Profile
Anterior
Back
Small Flock
🔍Size Comparison
Noisy Miner
Manorina melanocephala


iNaturalist
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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?
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
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
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
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 26(4J) in Apr(2), Jun(1), Jul(4), Aug(1), Sep(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
Crescent Honeyeater
Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera


iNaturalist
Na
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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
Striped Honeyeater
Plectorhyncha lanceolata


iNaturalist
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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
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,2E) & Dec(1J)
🔍Nest
🔍Eggs
🔍Chicks
Juvenile
Front
Ventral
Profile
Back
Raised Plume
In Flight
Totem Game
White-plumed Honeyeater
Ptilotula penicillata


iNaturalist
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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 16(3J) in May(1), Jun(4:1J), Jul(3:2J), Aug(3), Sep(4) & Oct(1)
Juvenile, front
🔍Juvenile, profile
Juvenile, back
Adult, front
Adult, profile
🔍Adult, profile
Adult, Feeding
🔍Nest Building
Adult, ventral
White-fronted Honeyeater
Purnella albifrons


iNaturalist
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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
Black Honeyeater
Sugomel niger


iNaturalist
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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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Monarch Flycatcher (Monarchidae); 2 species from Ellura
Magpie Flycatcher
Grallina cyanoleuca ssp 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
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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Pipit & Wagtail (Motacillidae); 1 species, none 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Flowerpecker (Nectariniidae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Mistletoebird
Dicaeum (Dicaeum) hirundinaceum ssp hirundinaceum


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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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Sittella (Neosittidae); 1 species 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Bell Bird (Oreoididae); 1 species from Ellura
Southern Crested Bellbird
Oreoica gutturalis ssp gutturalis


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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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Oriole (Oriolidae); 1 species from Ellura
Olive-backed Oriole
Oriolus sagittatus ssp sagittatus


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Similar Species: Australasian Pipit (Anthus (Anthus) novaeseelandiae)
Thank you Sam Gordon, 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Whistler (Pachycephalidae); 4 species 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.
Male Adults have a white patch between the eyes and the beak (ie the lores). But this patch isn't easy to see, depending on lighting & angle. 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.
We've just added photo's of eggs & chicks. These were taken over 3 years observing the same nest in our carport. Notice the eggs look different, even though they are the same species (possibly/likely the same parents/mother). Also notice there were 3 eggs/chicks each time. We didn't get a full sequence in one year as we were trying not to disturb them (ie photographing caused the parent to fly away). Everytime we came home from work/shops, etc, the parent would leave. Being a cold environment, we were concerned about the viability of the eggs & chicks with the parents leaving so often. It wasn't an ideal place for the nest, but gave us the opportunity to observe & record them. We think
they fledged at about 14 days old or so, but can't be sure.
Imaged 32(8M,4F,5J) in Jan(2:1M,1J), Feb(1J), Apr(2:1M), May(1M), Jul(12:5M,2F), Sep(11:2F,1J,6E), 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
🔍2014, Eggs
🔍2014, 3 Day Old Chicks
🔍2014, Nest
🔍2014, 11 Day Old Chicks
🔍2015, 1 Day B4 Fledging, 2015
🔍2015, 1 Day B4 Fledging
🔍2016, Eggs, 2016
🔍2016, Hatching & Hatchling
South Australian Golden Whistler
Pachycephala (Pachycephala) pectoralis ssp fuliginosa


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SynonymPachycephala fuliginosa ssp fuliginosa

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 20(4M,14F,2J) in Apr(1F), May(1F), Jun(3:3F,1J), Jul(8:2M,5F,1J), Aug(5:1M,4F), Sep(1M) & Nov(1)
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
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
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 28(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), Nov(1) & 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Pardalote (Pardalotidae); 2 species 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
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
🔍Entering it's Nest
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Sparrow (Passeridae); 1 species from Ellura
European House Sparrow
Passer (Passer) domesticus ssp domesticus


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

Imaged 2(1M,1F) in May(1F) & Sep(1M)
Female
🔍Male
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 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 on Egg
🔍Hatchling Chick
🔍Nesting on Chick
Juvenile, profile
Juvenile, Calling
Juvenile, back
🔍Adult, profile
Adult, anterior
Hooded Robin
Melanodryas cucullata ssp cucullata


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Similar Species: Jacky Winter (Microeca 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
Jacky Winter
Microeca 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
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
Red-capped Robin
Petroica goodenovii


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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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Australasian Babbler (Pomatostomidae); 2 species from Ellura
Chestnut-crowned Babbler
Pomatostomus ruficeps


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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
White-browed Babbler
Pomatostomus superciliosus


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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 33(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(5:1J) & Dec(1)
Fledgling
🔍Head
Profile, back
Brown Eye
Front
Chin up
Courting
Collecting nest material
Caught a Hairy insect
🔍Nest
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Quail-thrush (Psophodidae); 1 species from Ellura
Chestnut Quail-thrush
Cinclosoma castanotum


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Other Common NameChestnut Backed Quail-thrush

Thank you Indra Bone, 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Fantail (Rhipiduridae); 2 species from Ellura
Southern Willie Wagtail
Rhipidura (Sauloprocta) leucophrys ssp leucophrys


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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.
The nest was on a low slung branch of a Melaleuca lanceolata tree, ~0.5m off the ground. Unfortunately a Grey Currawong later found the nest and ate the eggs.
Imaged 30(1M,1F,3J) in Feb(3:2J), Apr(8), May(2), Jun(2), Jul(2), Aug(3), Sep(5:1M,1F,2E), 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
Grey Fantail
Rhipidura albiscapa


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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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Starling (Sturnidae); 1 species, none from Ellura
European Common Starling
Sturnus (Sturnus) vulgaris ssp vulgaris


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Thank you Asimakis Patitsas & (TheBirdNerdVal) for confirming the id of this species for us

Breeding adults have yellow beaks, while non-breeding have black beaks. Breeding males have blue at the base of the beak (like here) while females have pink.
Females are more spotty on the breast.
Imaged 4(1M,2F) in Feb(1F), May(1), Jul(1M) & Oct(1F)
🔍Male, profile, Breeding
🔍Male, Front, Breeding
🔍Female, Front, non-breeding
🔍Female, Back, non-breeding
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - White-eye (Timaliidae); 1 species from Ellura
South Australian Silvereye
Zosterops lateralis ssp pinarochrous


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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 19(1J) in Apr(2), May(2), Jun(5), Aug(2), Sep(1), Oct(6:1J) & Nov(1)
Video:
Silvereye singing (5Mb)
Chick
🔍Anterior
Profile
Profile
Back
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 92 species, 62 from Ellura - Thrush (Turdidae); 2 species, none from Ellura
Western European Blackbird
Turdus merula ssp merula


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Other Common NamesCommon Blackbird or Eurasian Blackbird

Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli & Paul Tavares for confirming the id of this species for us

Females are actually brown, only the males are black; with striking orange beaks & legs.
The nest was on the ground under ground-cover (ivy). The eggs were ~30mm long.
Imaged 9(5M,1F,1J) in Apr(1M), Jul(1M), Aug(1M), Sep(3:2M,1F,1J) & Nov(3)
🔍S9, Male
🔍S4, Female
🔍S5, Immature Male
🔍Eggs
South Australian Bassian Thrush
Zoothera lunulata ssp halmaturina


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

Thank you Josh Magro (JMag1) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Mar
🔍Profile
🔍Profile
Chin
🔍Back
Rump
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Pelicans (Pelecaniformes); 7 species, 1 from Ellura - Darter (Anhingidae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Australian Darter
Anhinga novaehollandiae ssp novaehollandiae


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Thank you Dianne Clarke, George Seagull & Josh Martin (BioShots_JM) for confirming the id of this species for us

Seems to be the only sub-species in Australia.
Imaged 6(1M,1F,1J) in Jul(3) & Oct(3:1M,1F,1J)
🔍Juvenile, anterior
🔍Male, profile
Female, Drying Out
🔍Male, Stunning Plumage
🔍Male, Chestnut Neck
🔍Male, Head
🔍Male, Taking Off
Male, In Flight
🔍Male, Hide Well in Water
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Pelicans (Pelecaniformes); 7 species, 1 from Ellura - Pelican (Pelecanidae); 1 species from Ellura
Australian Pelican
Pelecanus conspicillatus


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Thank you Bradley W. Jones, Kai Squires & Josh Martin (BioShots_JM) 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 21(1J) in Jan(2), Jun(1), Jul(1), Sep(4), Oct(12:1J) & Dec(1)
🔍Adult with Juvenile
🔍Adult Launching
🔍Underwing
🔍Above wing
Small Flock Overhead
🔍Adult, profile
🔍Adult, Head, close up
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Pelicans (Pelecaniformes); 7 species, 1 from Ellura - Cormorant (Phalacrocoracidae); 5 species, none from Ellura
Australian Little Pied Cormorant
Microcarbo melanoleucos ssp melanoleucos


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Thank you Thomas Mesaglio, Regan Scheuber & Josh Martin (BioShots_JM) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 5 in Jul(4) & Oct(1)
🔍In Flight
🔍Drying Out
🔍Resting
Black-faced Cormorant
Phalacrocorax (Anacarbo) fuscescens


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

Imaged 1 in May
Profile
Little Black Cormorant
Phalacrocorax (Phalacrocorax) sulcirostris


iNaturalist
NT
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Thank you George Seagull & Josh Martin (BioShots_JM) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 6 in Mar(2), Jul(3) & Oct(1)
🔍Green Eye
🔍Flying
🔍1,000's
🔍Deceptively Small in the Water
Australian Pied Cormorant
Phalacrocorax (Phalacrocorax) varius ssp hypoleucos


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

Imaged 1 in Mar
Swimming
Taking Off
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo


iNaturalist
RA
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Thank you Dianne Clarke, George Seagull & Josh Martin (BioShots_JM) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 8 in Jul(7) & Oct(1)
🔍Swimming
🔍Anterior
🔍Calling
🔍Drying Off
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Parrots (Psittaciformes); 14 species, 9 from Ellura - Cockatoo (Cacatuidae); 5 species, 2 from Ellura
Eastern Little Corella
Cacatua (Licmetis) sanguinea ssp gymnopis


iNaturalist
LC
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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 11 in Jan(1), May(1), Jun(2), Jul(1), Sep(2), Oct(1), Nov(2) & Dec(1)
Pair
In Flight
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Cacatua galerita


iNaturalist
LC
m a
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
Long-billed Corella
Cacatua tenuirostris


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

Imaged 1 in Jan
Red Forehead
Red Throat
Galah
Eolophus roseicapilla


iNaturalist
LC
e m a r
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
Western Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
Zanda funerea ssp whiteae


iNaturalist
P-V
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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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Parrots (Psittaciformes); 14 species, 9 from Ellura - Parrot (Psittacidae); 9 species, 7 from Ellura
Australian Ringneck
Barnardius zonarius ssp barnardi


iNaturalist
LC
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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
Musk Lorikeet
Glossopsitta concinna


iNaturalist
RA
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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
Blue-winged Parrot
Neophema chrysostoma


iNaturalist
P-V
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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
Purple-crowned Lorikeet
Parvipsitta porphyrocephala


iNaturalist
NT
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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
Crimson Rosella
Platycercus elegans


iNaturalist
LC
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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 19(4J) in Jan(1J), Mar(2:1J), Apr(3), May(2:1J), Jun(1), Jul(2), Aug(2), Sep(3), Oct(2) & Dec(1J)
Back, Redder
Front, Redder
Front, Paler
🔍Profile, Paler
Back, Paler
Eastern Regent Parrot
Polytelis anthopeplus ssp monarchoides


iNaturalist
P-V
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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
Mulga Parrot
Psephotellus varius


iNaturalist
NT
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SynonymPsephotus varius

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
🔍Female, sitting next to it's nest
Red-rumped Parrot
Psephotus haematonotus


iNaturalist
LC
m f r
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
Eastern Rainbow Lorikeet
Trichoglossus moluccanus ssp moluccanus


iNaturalist
RA
e m a
SynonymTrichoglossus haematodus ssp 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Penguins (Sphenisciformes); 1 species, none from Ellura - Penguin (Spheniscidae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Little Penguin
Eudyptula minor ssp novaehollandiae
Na
c
Other Common NamesFairy Penguin or Little Blue Penguin

Imaged 1 in Oct
Anterior, In a zoo
Posterior, In a zoo
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Owls (Strigiformes); 2 species, 1 from Ellura - True Owl (Strigidae); 1 species from Ellura
Southern Boobook
Ninox (Nixon) boobook ssp boobook


iNaturalist
RA
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SynonymsNinox boobook, Ninox boobook ssp boobook, Ninox novaeseelandiae or Ninox novaeseelandiae ssp boobook

Other Common NamesEast Australian Boobook or Mopoke

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

Notice how S2 is greyer & doesn't have the yellow eye ring. This may be due to age, gender or just individual variation. Hopefully we'll find out soon and let you know.
Thanks to Kalinya Pulsford for telling us aabout the common name of Mopoke; which comes from it's distinctive call. Nothing like the typical "Who Who" type call made by other owls.
Imaged 2 in Apr
S1, Breast
🔍S2, Full-frontal
S1, profile
🔍S2, profile
S1, Face
🔍S2, Eyelid
🔍S2, Claws
🔍S2, back
🔍S2, Under-tail
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Owls (Strigiformes); 2 species, 1 from Ellura - Barn-owl (Tytonidae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Eastern Barn Owl
Tyto javanica ssp delicatula


iNaturalist
LC
m
SynonymsTyto alba ssp delicatula or Tyto javanica

Thank you Max Kirsch for identifying 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
Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Flightless Birds (Struthioniformes); 1 species from Ellura - Emu (Casuariidae); 1 species from Ellura
Emu
Dromaius novaehollandiae


iNaturalist
LC
e m a f
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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