Birds of Australia

Abundant skinks, small birds and marsupials attract predators such as Currawongs and Grey Butcherbirds.

Butcherbirds

 Grey Butcherbirds get their name from their habit of impaling their catch in the fork of a tree branch and tearing off the meat with their robust hooked bill. Butcherbirds are fearsome predators for their size. Watching warily from a branch, they dart swiftly after small birds, mammals and reptiles, as well as insects. Butcherbirds live in small family groups which defend their territory with a beautiful rollicking song. They often nest in banksias and tea-trees.

Currawongs

Grey Currawongs announce their presence with a ringing ‘clink clink’, which sounds like an anvil being struck in contrast to the trumpeting of their relative, the Black Currawong. These handsome birds steal eggs and chicks from the nests of other birds, collect seeds and raid orchards for fruits. They also use their strong beak to pull away loose bark to uncover large insects. Currawongs nest on a horizontal fork of a tree or tall sapling.

Welcome Swallow

Welcome Swallows build a nest in a tree hollow, or attach their nest under a bridge or roof beam protected from sun and rain. They swoop low over the grass to pursue insects.

Brown Falcons and Australian Hobbles

Brown Falcons and Australian Hobbles hunt in open country and paddocks, perching motionless as they watch out for prey. They nest high in trees, often in the old nest of a forest raven or raptor. Brown falcons usually sit alone on dead trees and fences, swooping down to grasp their prey on the round in their talons. They eat mainly small mammals, insects and reptiles. These Birds usually fly short distances, moving in a leisurely way from one vantage point to the next. The smaller Australian Hobbies prefer to hunt in the half-light of dawn or dusk. Watching from riverside trees, these slim, nimble raptors dash after small birds and insects at incredible speeds, catching most of their prey in mid-air. With their long, narrow wings curved back, they can dive almost to the ground before flattening out into a fast glide. They usually nest in trees near water. Some birds, such as the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, appear to be equally adept at finding food n forests as in grassy fields. They enjoy eating grass seeds, which is the major diet of eastern Rosellas, Little Corellas and Galahs.

European Goldfinches

European Goldfinches flutter across the ground as they search for seeding grasses. Their dancing flight is accompanied by tinkling notes. In spring, they sing a pretty song, ‘twiddle-ee-twiddle-ee-ea’. These little birds prefer to roost and nest in the branches of trees from their European Homelands.