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

It has been a big birding start to the year

After a slow first couple of days, 2016 has started extremely well. 150 birds already and I haven't really left Melbourne and surrounds. Some huge highlights already include the Powerful Owl in the previous post, a day at Werribee with Pete Shanley, a night looking for Sooty Owls with Chris Watson, Sam and Lauren (alas we dipped on the Sooty but saw and heard some amazing wildlife), and today I headed to Serendip and the You Yangs followed by a quick return trip to Werribee. The life list has grown more in the past week than I think the whole of last year. Lewin's Honeyeater, Powerful Owl, Satin Flycatcher, and today was Purple-crowned Honeyeater. And of course, the photos just keep coming.

My bogey bird is the Swamp Harrier. I have yet to get any really decent shots, and today I fluffed another opportunity as one was sitting on a bank just beyond some barbed wire and just off the road. Even though I have seen more of the Swampies this trip than possibly for the rest of my life, getting one of the lovely close shots I've seen by others still eludes me.

I've had some great discussions about what continues to drive people to bird and/or photograph birds. I am finding more and more even though the photography is still the main focus for me, learning about bird behaviour is becoming increasingly more important. Maybe it is because if I learn more about behaviour I will take better photos. Not sure yet.

Usually I bird-watchby myself, so it has been an interesting time birding with others during these holidays. There are advantages and disadvantages of both birding alone, and birding with others. I do get a kick out of other people getting excited about seeing a bird or birds, but I also like to control where I go and when I stop to take photos/bird watch.

The following is a selection of 10 birds I have seen recently. I hope you enjoy.

Black-shouldered Kite at Werribee

Emu at Serendip

Lewin's Honeyeater at Bunyip State Park

Purple-crowned Lorikeet at Serendip

Red Wattlebird at Parkville

Superb Fairy-wrens at Serendip

Swamp Harrier at Werribee

Tawny Frogmouth at Serendip

White-winged Chough at Serendip

Yellow-faced Honeyeater at You Yangs