Eastern spinebills are found in eastern Australia, including rainforests, woodlands, and heathlands. They prefer dense undergrowth and shrubby areas with nectar-rich flowers.
BEHAVIOUR
It is an active and agile bird, often seen flitting among vegetation. It is also territorial and may defend feeding and breeding territories aggressively. The spinebill has a distinctive high-pitched, melodious call.
Eastern spinebill female (photography by JJ Harrison)
Eastern spine bill male (photography by JJ Harrison
BREEDING
The season typically occurs from August to January. It constructs cup-shaped nests using twigs, bark, and spider webs, often suspended from shrubs. It lays 2-3 eggs per clutch. The female builds the nest and incubates the eggs (14 days) but both parents take care of the young.
FEEDINGBEHAVIOUR
It’s primarily a nectar feeder, using its long, slender bills to sip nectar from flowers but also feeds on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Eastern spinebills play an essential role in pollinating various native plants in their habitat.
The eastern spinebill is named for the prominent dark, spiky “spine” at the base of their tails. They are also known for their precise and efficient hovering abilities while feeding on nectar. They have vibrant plumage, with a distinctive white “eyebrow” stripe and iridescent colours. The female colouring is the same but less vibrant. It competes with other nectar-feeding birds for food, leading to territorial disputes. The spinebill is a vital part of Australia’s native ecosystems, helping in the pollination of many plant species.
RISK TO THIS SPECIES
Habitat destruction, Climate change, Predation by introduced species.
White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) is a medium-sized heron found in Australia, New Zealand, and some parts of the western Pacific region.
DISTRIBUTION
The White-faced Heron is widespread throughout Australia, occurring in various habitats such as coastal areas, wetlands, estuaries, rivers, and inland water bodies. It is also found in parts of New Zealand and nearby islands.
This heron measures around 60 to 70 centimetres (about 24 to 28 inches) in length and has a wingspan of approximately 90 to 105 centimetres (about 35 to 41 inches). Its plumage is predominantly slate-grey, and it has a distinctive white face, throat, and front of the neck. During the breeding season, adults may develop long, slender plumes on their backs and chest.
FEEDINGBEHAVIOUR
White-faced Herons are opportunistic feeders and have a varied diet. They primarily eat small fish, crustaceans, insects, frogs, and other aquatic creatures. They are skilled at stalking their prey and may stand motionless for long periods before striking with their sharp beaks to catch their food.
Breeding occurs during the warmer months. The herons build nests in trees, shrubs, or on the ground near water bodies. The female lays 2 to 4 eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
CONSERVATION STATUS
As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the White-faced Heron is not considered globally threatened and is classified as a species of “Least Concern” by the IUCN. However, like many bird species, they face challenges related to habitat loss and disturbance in some regions
TAXONOMY
The White-faced Heron belongs to the family Ardeidae, which includes various species of herons, egrets, and bitterns.
This beautiful Azure kingfisher has been conspicuous in and around Wodonga this year. I have personally noticed it on the billabong near La Maison’s killing and swallowing its prey and on the manmade Lagoon in Les Stone Park diving from a low branch and of course at Wonga wetlands. I’ve also seen it flying along the Mitta River down Lees Lane. These shy, yet glamorous, birds can be found around our rivers, coasts and forests, and indicate a healthy ecosystem.
DESCRIPTION
The Azure Kingfisher is a small kingfisher with a long slender black bill and a short tail. The head, neck, upper parts and breast sides are deep azure blue with a violet (purplish) sheen. The neck has a distinctive orange stripe on each side and there is a small orange spot before each eye. The throat is pale orange white, grading to orange-reddish on belly and undertail. The flanks and sides of the breast are washed purple to violet. The legs and feet are red. The sexes are similar. Young birds have a darker cap and are generally duller.
The Azure Kingfisher nests in a burrow dug out of a river bank.
The Azure Kingfisher is never far from water, preferring freshwater rivers and creeks as well as billabongs, lakes, swamps and dams, usually in shady overhanging vegetation. It’s sometimes seen in parks on rivers, as well as duck or goldfish ponds in urban areas. They are found all along the eastern seaboard right down to Tasmania and are quite common and sedentary where the habitat remains suitable.
BEHAVIOUR
The Azure Kingfisher plunges from overhanging perches into water to catch prey. Prey items include: fish, crustaceans, aquatic insects and other invertebrates, and, sometimes, frogs. They will often bash their prey against the perch before swallowing it head first. They also watch Platypuses foraging underwater and catch any food items that are disturbed. Azure kingfishers patrol up and down waterways and rivers moving from perch to perch and flying very fast, and only a few meters off the water, typically making a loud high pitched “seeeeeeeep” call but otherwise are a very quiet bird.
BREEDING
Azure Kingfishers form monogamous pairs that defend a breeding territory. Both parents incubate and feed the chicks. The nest is at the end of a burrow dug out of soil in a riverbank. The tunnel slopes upwards to the nesting chamber and can be 80 cm – 130 cm long. Flooding can destroy low-lying burrows.
Breeding season: September to January (in the south)
Clutch size: 4 to 7, usually 5
Incubation: 21 days
Time in nest: 28 days
CONVERSATION STATUS
Least concern as although numbers are declining their distribution is becoming larger. Stock trampling vegetation around waterholes affects the Azure Kingfisher. Human activities that cause artificial flooding of waterways can drown nests. Water that is turbid (not clear) and the introduction of European Carp (which competes for food resources) can also adversely affect local populations.
Grey fantails are found all over the Mitta Valley. I recently observed one whilst sitting with Margie and Shane Tobin of Mitta North Road in their back yard, it was flitting from bush to bush looking for insects and fanning its gorgeous fantail.
DESCRIPTION
The Grey Fantail is a small insectivorous bird most easily recognised by its constantly fanned tail and agile aerial twists and turns. Both sexes are similar in appearance: grey above, with white eyebrow, throat and tail edges. This species is quite inquisitive and will closely approach an observer. It grows to16 cm (6.3 in) in length, of which half is the tail, which, as the name implies, is often displayed fanned out.
The Grey fantail is found in most treed habitats. This species is easily seen while walking in eucalypt forest, rainforest, mangroves, heath, and wooded habitat. It occasionally visits densely-planted urban gardens, particularly during the winter migration.
BEHAVIOUR
The grey fantail feeds on flying insects, which it catches by chasing them from the edge of foliage at all levels in the canopy. During waking hours, they are almost never still. They flit from perch to perch, sometimes on the ground but mostly on the twigs of a tree or any other convenient object, looking out for flying insects. They catch flying insects using intricate acrobatic chases. The birds are not shy, and will often flit within a few metres of people, especially in forested areas and suburban gardens. In doing so, it can catch any small flying insects that may have been disturbed by human activities such as walking or digging. The bird’s call is an almost metallic cheek, either as a single sound or (more often) repeated as a chattering. The grey fantail appears to undergo a partial northern migration during winter.
BREEDING
The Grey Fantail builds its nest in a thin tree-fork, usually between 2 and 5 metres from the ground. It is made of fine grass bound together with large amounts of spider web. The bottom of the nest is drawn out into a long stem, resembling that of a wine-glass. Both parents share nest-building, incubation of the eggs and feeding of the young when they hatch.
Juvenile
Most bird species typically build one nest, whereas grey fantails commonly build more than one nest before egg-laying. It is thought that these nests could act a decoy to confuse predators. The abandoned nests are incompletely built, probably in response to the attention of predators such as pied currawongs who destroy nests whilst looking for eggs. The grey fantail is territorial and is a seasonal breeder. They raise several broods per season, usually of three or four cream eggs, spotted grey and brown. The incubation period is around two weeks, with incubation and feeding duties shared by both parents. Despite most grey fantails forming season-long monogamous pairs, a small number of male birds seeking extra-pair copulation have been recorded.
Source: BIBY TV
CONVERSATION STATUS
The Grey Fantail conservation status is secure throughout Australia except in Northern Territory where it is critically endangered.
Emus have been sighted in the Mitta Valley up Callaghan’s creek Road, and on Phillips Condon’s properties on the Mitta North and Bullhead Road.
DESCRIPTION
The Emu is found only in Australia. It lives throughout most of the continent, ranging from coastal regions to high in the Snowy Mountains. Emus were once found in Tasmania, but were exterminated soon after Europeans arrived. Two dwarf species of emus that lived on Kangaroo Island and King Island also became extinct.
The Emu is Australia’s tallest native bird, reaching between 1.6 m and 1.9 m when standing erect, a flightless bird an Emu is one of the world’s largest birds. Adult Emus are covered with shaggy grey-brown feathers except for the neck and head, which are largely naked and bluish-black. The wings are greatly reduced, but the legs are long and powerful. Each foot has three forward-facing toes and no hind toe. Most people see Emus along roadsides, near fences or other barriers, giving the impression of close association. However, Emus are not social, except for young birds, which stay with their father. The Emu (30 – 45 kg) is lighter than its closest living relative, the Southern Cassowary Casuariuscasuarius, but is taller and less heavy set in appearance and much more widely distributed throughout Australia.
A nest of Emu eggs at Boolcoomatta Reserve. Photo Kurt Tschirner.
The main habitats of the Emu are tall eucalyptus forests and savanna woodland. These birds are rarely found in rainforest or very arid areas.Emus are often sited in the Mitta Valley as we have this type of environment. They’re often seen grazing inopen paddocks next to woodland in order that they can gather their chicks and escape if necessary, into the surrounding forest.
BEHAVIOUR
Emus are not fussed what they eat. They eat a large variety of foods including fruits, seeds, growing shoots of plants, insects, other small animals, and animal droppings. This makes Emus an important distributor of diverse seeds throughout different areas.
BREEDING
Nesting takes place in winter. The male and female remain together for about five months, which includes courtship, nest building and egg-laying. The nest consists of a platform of grass on the ground, about 10 cm thick and 1 m – 2 m in diameter which the males adds to from time to time. The large eggs (130 mm x 90 mm) are laid at intervals of two to four days. These are dark bluish-green when fresh, becoming lighter with exposure to the sun. One of its unusual traits is its domestic life: after the female emu lays her dozen or so green eggs, she leaves the male to incubate them on his own, and after they have hatched, the striped chicks are also looked after by the male, with no contribution from the female. The female dominates the male during pair formation but once incubation begins, the male becomes aggressive to other Emus, including his mate. The female wanders away and leaves the male to perform all the incubation. Sometimes she will find another mate and breed again. The male incubates the eggs without drinking, feeding, defecating or leaving the nest. During this time, eggs often roll out of the nest and are pulled back in by the male. Newly hatched chicks are cream-coloured with dark brown stripes. They leave the nest when they can feed themselves. Young birds stay close together and remain with the male for four months. They finally leave at about six months. During this period, the stripes fade and the downy plumage is replaced by dull brown feathers. Emus are nearly fully grown at one year and may breed at 20 months.
CONSERVATION STATUS
The Emu is found only in Australia. It lives throughout most of the continent, ranging from coastal regions to high in the Snowy Mountains. Emus were once found in Tasmania but were exterminated soon after Europeans arrived. Two dwarf species of emus that lived on Kangaroo Island and King Island also became extinct. The populations of emu although deemed secure don’t seem to be increasing in number, this is probably due to predation of the chicks by wild dogs and foxes. As there is very little written about the emu the present thought is to use GPS trackers to gain more insight into their numbers.
REFERENCES
A presentation by Dr. Julia Ryleland on ‘Emus off the North-East Victoria’
The white-bellied Sea-Eagle has been sited in the Mitta Valley in the Dartmouth Dam area.
DESCRIPTION
Few Australian birds of prey are as spectacular as the White-bellied Sea-Eagle. Although it is similar in shape to the well-known Wedge-tailed Eagle, and almost as large, the sea-eagle is readily distinguished by its contrasting crisp-white and ashy-grey plumage, which adds to its striking appearance as it soars effortlessly on its up tilted broad wings. The large, hooked bill is grey with a darker tip, and the eye is dark brown. The legs and feet are cream-white, with long black talons (claws). It has a wingspan of about 2 meters. Like many raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. The immature birds have brown plumage which is gradually replaced by white by its fourth year.
Despite its name, the sea-eagle is not confined to coastal areas, and the species is regularly recorded at terrestrial wetlands far from the sea, especially along larger inland rivers and at freshwater swamps and lakes. Hence why they have made their homes at Dartmouth. The white-bellied Sea-eagle are normally seen perched high in a tree or soaring over waterways and adjacent land. Birds form permanent pairs that inhabit territories throughout the year. In addition to Australia, the species is found in New Guinea, Indonesia, China, south-east Asia and India.
BEHAVIOUR
The White-bellied Sea-Eagle feeds mainly off aquatic animals, such as fish, turtles and sea snakes, but it takes birds and mammals as well. It is a skilled hunter and will attack prey up to the size of a young swan. Sea-Eagles also feed on carrion (dead prey) such as sheep and fish along the waterline. They harass smaller birds, forcing them to drop any food that they are carrying. Sea-Eagles feed alone, in pairs or in family groups. While hunting over water on sunny days it often flies directly into the sun seemingly to avoid casting shadows over the water and hence alerting potential prey.
White-bellied Sea-Eagles build a large stick nest with good visibility which is used for many seasons in succession. The nest can be in a tree up to 30m above the ground but may also be placed on the ground or on rocks, where there are no suitable trees. At the start of the breeding season, the nest is lined with fresh green leaves and twigs. The pair will spend three to six weeks building and renovating the nest before laying eggs. The clutch is incubated over six weeks The female carries out most of the incubation of the white eggs, but the male performs this duty from time to time. Initially the male brings the food and the female feeds the chicks but both parents feed the chicks as they grow older. The species breeds from six years of age onwards and are thought to live to be around 30 years old. Nestlings have been recorded fledgling when 70 to 80 days old and remaining around the parents for up to 6 months.
The birds make a loud goose like honking call. It’s a familiar sound particularly during the breeding season when pairs often honk in unison and often carry on for some time when perched.
Unfortunately, the white bellied sea eagle is vulnerable in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania but secure in WA and QLD. Its vulnerability comes from habitat destruction, nest disturbance and environmental pollution.
The Wonga pigeon has been sited in the Mitta Valley along Lees Lane, Mitta north Road, up Scrubby creek and along Wombat Gully Road.
DESCRIPTION
The Wonga Pigeon is a large plump, ground-dwelling pigeon with a small head, pale face, short broad wings, and a long tail. When seen from above the plumage of the Wonga pigeon is a drab grey. However, front on the bird appears to be wearing a white scarf wrapped around its neck and when viewed from below, its white underparts are attractively patterned with row upon row of dozens of tiny crescent shaped markings. The eyes are dark red brown with a pink eye ring and the feet and legs are deep pink to red. There is little difference between the male and the female birds.
The Wonga pigeon is found from southeast Queensland all the way down to Gippsland in Victoria. They are a ground dwelling pigeon that frequents dense forests and gullies, clearings such as picnic areas, walking tracks, carparks, and roadsides. These gorgeous pigeons are often observed foraging on the ground for seeds, fallen fruits, plant matter and the occasional insects.
BEHAVIOUR
These birds are sedentary in nature in that don’t move far beyond their territory. Wonga pigeons will develop life-long monogamous relationships and will defend their nest sites with a series of threatening displays, including clicking, bowing, and charging towards potential intruders!
Nests are built in large trees, usually high off the ground and are saucer-shaped platforms of twigs and sticks, lined with small twigs, vine tendrils and other soft plant materials. Both sexes incubate and feed the young. They use a special posture when sitting on the nest, keeping their patterned tail raised high and facing observers, whilst peering over their tail to keep an eye on potential threats. Adults feed their young by regurgitation and young birds will remain with the adults for some time after fledging but are fed less and less often.
The pigeon’s call is a long series of notes, quite high and rapid, ‘whoik, whoik’ and this is repeated at a constant pitch becoming quite monotonous. The pigeon is more often heard than seen but it produces explosive wing claps when disturbed and when it takes off. On landing it may lift its tail showing black flecked undertail -coverts. Its flight is short, straight, and fast.
Unfortunately, the Wonga pigeon is preyed upon by feral cats and foxes. Like many pigeon species during the 1900s they were also hunted for their meat and for sport. Today, they are a protected species and one of least concern. Although not endangered they are not common in our area.
REFERENCES
Field Guide to Australian Birds – Michael Morcombe
The Flame robin has been sighted in the MacDonald’s ‘Witches Garden’ on Watchingora/Callaghan’s creek road, around Tallandoon and up Scrubby Creek near Hodgkin’s property.
DESCRIPTION
The Flame robin is the largest of the red robins. Male Flame robins have a brilliant red-orange breast and throat and a white patch on the forehead above the bill. Its upper parts are iron grey with white bars and its tail is black with white tips. The bill is black, and the legs are dark brown The female coloration is a muted grey-brown with pale buff wing stripe and mostly white outer tail feather. When calling Flame robins emit a cheery, clear, sharp piping trill.
The male Flame robin may be confused with the male Scarlet robin but this species is black above and on the head extending to the throat with a scarlet breast and upper belly.
The Flame robin is found in temperate regions of south-eastern Australia and all over Tasmania. They are winter visitors to the lowlands in south-eastern Australia. In the warmer months they breed in upland forests laying their eggs in finely woven nests decorated with lichen. As Autumn approaches most move to lower elevations where they are often conspicuous in open habitats such as farmland especially pasture and recently ploughed paddocks. They also occur in other grassy areas such as golf courses, ovals, or parkland in built up areas. They usually return to breeding areas in the mountains in August or September.
BREEDING
The Flame robin is a perch and pounce hunter mainly eating insects and often returning to a favourite low perch several times to stand erect and motionless, scanning the leaf litter for more prey. They often forage in scattered flocks in winter but are otherwise seen alone or in pairs.
The Flame robin may lay up to two clutches of 3 or 4 eggs during the breeding season which is between August and January. The eggs lay pale green or blue eggs with spotted marks. The nest is built by the female and is normally placed in a tree or rock face or other similar area up to 20 m above the ground. The female incubates the eggs while the male supplies her with food. Both sexes feed the young chicks. Flame robins are generally monogamous and remain together unless one bird perishes.
CONSERVATION STATUS
The Flame robins have a secure conservation status in Victoria.
