Beautiful Parrots, Lorikeets and Rosellas of southern Australia

Even the non bird-watchers would have to agree Australia has some of the most stunningly coloured parrots. They are not always easy to see and photograph, but they are very rarely quiet. Chattering while feeding or flying, and generally displaying amazing bursts of colour yet still able to hide in the foliage when they want.

I have recently spent a fair amount of time in Victoria and South Australia, trying in vain to get decent shots of some species, while being spoilt for choice with others.

I must admit I love watching and photographing parrots. I have Australian Ringnecks that visit my backyard and despite seeing them daily when at home, still get a thrill with their vibrant colours.

One of the most spectacular would have to be the Eastern Rosella, recently voted the prettiest bird in Australia. Even though I saw quite a lot of these, I didn't get any photos that really displayed their vibrance. The Mulga Parrot would have to come close as the "prettiest" and fortunately for me, I was able to get lots of beautiful photos.

I hope we look after the habitat for all of the species in our country as it is an awful thought to live in a world without these wonderful creatures.

Below are some of the photos from the past few weeks:

Mulga Parrot

Red-rumped Parrot

 

Musk Lorikeet

Purple-crowned Lorikeet

Rainbow Lorikeet

Crimson Rosella

Yellow form Crimson Rosella

Eastern Rosella

Bluebonnets

More Phillip Island bird photos

In the second week of January, we spent the majority of our holiday on Phillip Island. There are so many different birding habitats on the Island, and it was fun to try to get to most of them and see a wide variety of birds.

One of the most productive area is at the west end of the Island, where the Nobbies and the Penguin Parade area is located, as well as Smiths Beach and Swan Lake. From Swamp Harriers in the sky to Kelp Gulls on the rocky outcrop, Little Penguins and a number of different Terns, and some unusual cormorants, not to mention the ducks and other waterbirds at Swan Lake, and the bush birds in between, this little area really should be visited for a time much longer than our time constraints allowed, but we managed a lot of birding in any case. There is a map of the Island available from most of the shops or Information desks and the west end should really be circled by any birder heading to the Island. The birds in this post are summer birds, and although I haven't been to the Island during Winter for many a year, I imagine the majority are still there during winter also, with a few others such as Albatross and Petrels a possibility in the cooler months. Perhaps the well-renowned blogger from Pete's Flap (click to go to Pete's Flap blog here ) could be challenged to provide a Winter blog post with some of these Antarctic visitors.

You may notice some joint observations between Pete's blogging and mine, as we are related by family and it is mainly thanks to Pete I managed to start this passion of birds and bird photography. Each year we manage to enjoy some lovely birding experiences during the school holidays and Phillip Island is one of those places we congregate due to their holiday house. Even around the house provides some enjoyable bird-watching, and it is only a short walk to the beach,  or a short drive to the places mentioned above. And so to the photos, starting with one of the local Rosellas.

Eastern Rosella

Eastern Spinebill

Little Wattlebird

New Holland Honeyeater

Silver gull

Kelp Gull

Kelp Gull with Chick at the Nobbies

Australasian Shoveller

Freckled Duck

Musk Duck

Black-faced Cormorant

Bird Photos from Cowra NSW

Took a day trip up to a relatives place near Cargo in NSW from Wee Jasper and stopped of in Cowra to do a bit of shopping ... well, the family did while I kept the dogs happy by taking them on a walk in a park by the river.

These are the bird photos from that park:

Long-billed Corella

Common Starling

Dollarbird

Eastern Rosella

Little Corellas

 Noisy Friarbird 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

just for a change, some Victorian bird photos

A really quick trip to Victoria over the weekend, but still managed to find a small amount of time for some photos. Sherbrooke Forest and Scotchman's Creek in Mt Waverley:

Crimson Rosella

Australian Raven

Chestnut Teal

Common Myna

Eastern Rosella (very prety but wouldn't turn around!)

Little Pied Cormorant

Pacific Black Duck

Red Wattlebird

White-faced Heron on nest

Enjoy your Bird-watching!