Robins and other small birds
Blue Faced Honeyeater
This bird was on my 'list of birds' to see. Apparently they can be found in Victoria but I'm yet to come across one.
Luckily, I went to visit my brother in Townsville and he's keen on birds too so we got to see what was around and finally, I managed to get some good shots of this beautifully coloured bird.
I like the middle photo the best, I have this in much higher res than what’s on the website so on the off chance someone wants to buy it… (no one has decided to donate a super big expensive lens to my cause yet unfortunately so photos and art is where I’m at.)
Blue Wren
Also known as a Superb Fairy-wren or a Supurb Blue Wren. You'll find these flittering around everywhere in Victoria, Tasmania, around Adelaide, east coast of NSW and lower east coast of QLD. Here I've taken a photo of the female Blue Wren (you can see the red around the eyes), and of course, the male Blue Wren, called so for obvious reasons. If you ever want to attract these birds, try fishing along the Murry River, cast your line and put one of those bells on - the one that tells you you've got a bite while you're trying to cook your dinner. That's when they'll come out, jumping ont he tip of your rod to catch some bugs while you constantly think that you've finally caught a fish!
Golden Headed Cistola
We caught this little bird at the Water Treatment Plant. Took me a little while to get a clear photo (camera kept focusing on the reeds).
Golden Whistler
For quite some time I could hear the Golden Whistler. Often I would take photos to look back at the picture of the female, and then not be confident enough to tell the difference between the female Golden Whistler or the Rufous Whistler or who knows what. Finally though, in some bushlands off the Yarra River I found him - no mistaking what he is now! Found more in the southern parts of Australia (but up the east coast as well) the Golden Whistler can be seen in rainforests, woodlands, orchards, golf courses, parks and gardens. Good luck trying to find them if only the females are around though...
Grey Fantail
I first saw this bird in New Zealand. We sat in wonder as the little thing jumped and flickerd around catching bugs and showing off its fan. It's a tiny bird (its tail is longer than its body!). Since NZ, I've begun to realise how common this bird is in Victoria.
For a small, fast moving bird that never seems to stay still, good photos can be hard to come by so good luck!
Rainbow Bee Eater
This bird I've been looking for, for quite some time and after hearing it and going through a few unconfirmed sightings... I finally found it in Townsville! The Townsville Common to be more precise.
They're everywhere! Trying to catch them going into the water is a difficult task and I got a few photos. Most of them ended up being shots of splashes or a disappearing bird tail feather, but as you can see in the middle, I did achieve some success. What a wonderful bird.
They're everywhere! Trying to catch them going into the water is a difficult task and I got a few photos. Most of them ended up being shots of splashes or a disappearing bird tail feather, but as you can see in the middle, I did achieve some success. What a wonderful bird.
Red-Browed Finch
This is a lovely little finch that can be found along the east of Australia from Victoria up to the very tip of North-Queensland. I've photographed this bird a few times, here you can see him at night at the Mitchelton Winery as well as in the bush at Tower Hill. Habitat is grassy clearings in forests, woodlands, coastal scrubs, crops, roadsides, orchards, parks and gardens.
Scarlet Robin
Scarlet Robins are very very similar to the Flame Robins. They both have red fronts, white ont he wing, a white part on the nose... But, the difference is the red itself (among other things). Scarlet Robins only have red up to the top of their chest as opposed to the top of their neck and it also fades to white near the legs where as Flame Robin's have red below the legs.. The white on their nose / forehead almost is larger than a Flame Robin and if you see a flame Robin, you might actually otice that it's a little more grey than black, where as the Scarlet Robin is black.
Silver Eye
The Silver Eye is a very small bird 10-12.5cm. The photos I have here were taken in some forest off the Yarra River in Heidelberg however they can be found throughout Victoria, parts of SA, WA, Tas and the east coast of Australia. I presume they are called Silver Eye due to the silver ring around their eye. they also have oliv green coloring on the head and back.
Spotted Pardalote
This tiny little bird (8-10cm) was spotted at Serindip (Lara) just to the left of the bird hide. They can be seen throughout the sothern parts of Australia as well as the east coast of QLD. I was really excited to see this little bird as it was the first time I was out and about with my new camera. They can be found in eucalypt forests, woodlands, scrubs, golf courses, parks and gardens. Good luck taking photos though as the little buggers flitter around non stop!
White-Naped Honeyeater
Not the best photos, but we were in the Mt. Pilot national park. Up in the very tops of the trees were countless little birds flittering around. It was a nightmare trying to find one that would stand still long enough for a photo, but persistance (and a sore neck) paid off.
Located in South West WA, South East SA, most of Victoria, East Coast of NSW and most of the East Coast of QLD, this little bird lives in colonies (which means when you find one, you'll generally see many more). They chase eachother through the high tree tops so good luck with your photos!
Located in South West WA, South East SA, most of Victoria, East Coast of NSW and most of the East Coast of QLD, this little bird lives in colonies (which means when you find one, you'll generally see many more). They chase eachother through the high tree tops so good luck with your photos!
White-Plumed Honeyeater
The White-Plumed Honeyeater can be distinguised by the yellow on its head combined with the white 'plume' which is under the head almost like a chin line. They are very common in Victoria and can be found in every state other than Tasmania. I often see them flying inbetween gum trees, especially when they are in flower. Without fail I seem to be able to find them in Point Cook simply driving around, one of these photos is from having a spare moment at work while the other was taken at Tower Hill. Being so common you would think that I'd have better photos... I'm working on it.
Willie Wag Tail
The Willie Wagtail can be found Australia Wide all except for Tasmania. Until I took these photos,l I did not realise that there could be a difference between the white eyebrow ridge. Willies can flitter arround while chasing bugs close to the ground. When they stand still, they often do move from side to side to 'wag' their tail. It can be found in most habitats other than dense forests. This is one of the more common birds that you'll see, whether it is in your own garden or at a park. Fun to watch none the less.
Yellow-Faced Honeyeater
Seen high up in a gum tree this Yellow-Faced Honeyeater was located in Western Victoria, Tower Hill. It can be seen in forests, woodlands, coastal scrubs, heaths... even in blackberries, golf courses and orchards. Can only be found on the eastern part of Australia, most of Victoria and a very small part of South Australia.
Yellow-Plumed Honeyeater
I saw this Yellow-Plumed Honeyeater at Warnambool on the coast. We were walking around the clifs on a boardwalk when I caught this guy fluttering around. I have to admit, I had help identifying it as this particular honey eater is not normally found on the southern coast of Victoria but instead, is more common in northern Victoria, some parts of South Australia and the south of Western Australia.
Yellow-Tufted Honeyeater
We caught this bright honeyeater on a miserable day in the Mt. Pilot national park. We were actually there looking for the Regent Honeyeater, but I'm afraid in the misty rain we didn't catch a glimpse.
The Yellow-Tufted Honeyeater was one that I did not have on my list (but it's now dated in the Pizzy). They can be found in rain forests, woodlands, scrub and apparantly even dense shrubbery on the east coast of Victoria, NSW and Southern QLD.
The Yellow-Tufted Honeyeater was one that I did not have on my list (but it's now dated in the Pizzy). They can be found in rain forests, woodlands, scrub and apparantly even dense shrubbery on the east coast of Victoria, NSW and Southern QLD.
© Michelle Evans 2012, all rights reserved.