First published 19-02-2016
Reproduced with kind permission from Evo Terra Podcast Pontifications
I’m just going to come right out and say it: Australian animals are weird. From kangaroos to koalas, first-time visitors will undoubtedly come away from a trip to Australia mesmerized by the vast differences between their animals and ours. And while I do recommend going to a koala preserve when you visit, some of the more colorful and interesting animals this island continent has to offer are even easier to see. All you have to do is look up.
I am not an ornithologist. I’m not even really a birdwatcher- or “birder”, as they like to be called. I’m a world traveler, and that means I’m unable (or at least unwilling) to carry around serious birder gear, like giant camera lenses, bulky binoculars, or various field guides. I’m certainly not knocking those who do travel with that much gear; in fact, I’m rather envious. But for me, space is at a premium. So when I go bird watching, I rely more on my eyes than artificial optics.
We spent two months in Eastern Australia recently, and my wife -- the photographer in our duo -- found ample opportunities to capture some great shots of the native fowl with a standard lens on her DSLR camera.
This is just a sampling of some of the winged fauna we encountered during our trip to eastern Australia. If chance sightings aren’t enough for you, there are plenty of options to see less-common birds at zoos and nature preserves. But that’s the sort of thing serious birders do; the rest of us? We just look up. And sometimes-- pun intended-- we duck.
(Author’s note: Australia has a knack for boringly obvious common names for their amazing birds. So I’ve done them the courtesy of creating new, more descriptive names. You’ll note them next to the AKA designation...)
Crested Pigeon, (Ocyphaps lophotes) AKA The Demon Dove
Crested Pigeon, (Ocyphaps lophotes)
Photo credit: Sheila Dee
On one hand, the Crested pigeon is much more sanitary than its common cousin; the one we’re all familiar with. Both varieties are often found in parks and open public areas. But where common pigeons flock in great numbers to spread their mess everywhere, the crested pigeon travels in much fewer numbers and spreads nightmares directly from its demon-esque eyes. I mean… look at it! Red rimmed eyes. Spiked hairstyle. Blazing red, talon-tipped feet. It’s not here for your sandwich- it’s here for your soul.
Viewing tips: They spend a lot of time on the ground scratching for seeds, grubs, or more likely searching for the passage back to the underworld.
Odds of sighting: Very common. Often accompanied with cold-sweats and clenched sheets the following night.
Sulfer-crested Cockatoo, (Cacatua galerita), AKA Baretta’s Bird
Sulfer-crested Cockatoo, (Cacatua galerita)
Photo Credit: Sheila Dee
The ‘70s cop-show Baretta thrust the cockatoo into prominence in America, causing a huge swell of interest for the birds as pets. But this long-lived bird’s beauty is only outshined by the horrendously obnoxious call it makes. Hence, there are now flocks of “liberated” cockatoos in many southwestern and southeastern states of America, released by owners who JUST. COULDN’T. HANDLE. THE NOISE. ANY. MORE!
Evolutionarily speaking, their raucous call ensures no other competing species gets near the cockatoo’s food source. (Well, at least not any competing species that aren’t hard of hearing.)
Viewing tips: Occasionally found in large flocks, sulfer-crested cockatoos are most active in the hours before sunset. They’ve little fear of humans, likely due to Robert Blake’s acquittal.
Odds of sighting: Fairly common. Just follow the screaming.
Australian Brush Turkey, (Alectura lathami), AKA: That-Kinda-Looks-Like-A-Turkey
Australian Brush Turkey, (Alectura lathami)
Photo credit: Sheila Dee
Why yes, that is a turkey. Who knew they had turkeys in Australia? We were there just before Thanksgiving and clearly no one bothered to tell the brush-turkey about Thanksgiving, because it didn’t pay us any mind. Then again, id doesn’t have a showy tail-feather fan like its North American cousin, so perhaps they’re safe from American hunters far from home.
What the brush-turkey lacks in posterior display, it more than makes up for in stylish neckwear. The bright yellow ascot (or “waddle” for the non-birders among us) perfectly accents the red head and neck, providing definition and contrast to the plump, purple-tinged feathers of the body.
Viewing tips: Brush turkeys build large mounds of leaf litter as their nests, so look for heavily wooded areas dominated with eucalyptus trees-- which means everywhere.
Odds of sighting: If you get off the beaten path, quite good. If you get too near their mounds, almost assuredly these territorial little buggers will give your shoes a good peck or two to keep you from stealing their eggs. You have been warned.
Australian White Ibis, (Threskiornis molucca), AKA: Dumpster Diver
Australian White Ibis, (Threskiornis molucca)
Photo credit: Sheila Dee
The majestic ibis is a much-revered bird with deep roots in Egyptian mythology. But this isn’t Egypt, it’s Eastern Australia, and there are no pyramids or hieroglyphics here. But there are plenty of trash dumpsters, the preferred habitat of the Australian “white” Ibis. The “white” moniker is somewhat of a misnomer: the birds might be white underneath all that grime, but the ones you’re likely to see are dingy grey or brown… or whatever the color of the dominant food-stain from the bins they’ve been occupying.
Viewing tips: Anywhere you’d find a pigeon in America, you’ll find the Australian white ibis. Just don’t expect them to be “white”.
Odds of seeing: Quite high and almost guaranteed if the sanitation workers are on strike.
Rainbow Lorikeet, (Trichoglossus haematodus), AKA: The Pretty Loud Bird
Rainbow Lorikeet, (Trichoglossus haematodus)
Photo credit: Sheila Dee
If ever there were a bird that looked like it was painted by Dr. Moreau, it’s the lorikeet. Patches of yellow, red, and orange make this the most colorful little bird we’d ever seen. They tend to travel in large flocks, making for a colorful splash across the sky as they settle from tree to tree. Like all colorful little birds, their call is more akin to shrill shrieks than melodious tunes, but they are pretty. Pretty loud, but pretty.
Viewing tips: Find a tree. Wait. Listen.
Odds of seeing: If you can find a tree, you’ll find a dozen lorikeets.
Laughing Kookaburra, (Dacelo novaeguineae), AKA: Crazy Person In The Woods
Laughing Kookaburra, (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Photo credit: Sheila Dee
The kookaburra is the iconic Australian bird. Though they aren’t all that easy to spot, you almost certainly won’t miss hearing one as their warbling sound carries for miles on end. It’s really quite remarkable that such a noticeable song (and though a little unnerving at first, a quite pleasant one to hear) can come from such a small, compact member of the Kingfisher family.
Viewing tips: Listen first, and slowly walk through the woods. That’s not your imagination making you think a crazy person is stalking you; it’s a kookaburra.
Odds of seeing: 50/50 unless you think you might be lost. Then it approaches 100% just to unsettle your nerves further.
Australian Magpie, (Cracticus tibicen), AKA: Dive Bomber
[Editor note: Photo removed as it was not the correct species. Correct photo to come]
Before you go looking for magpies, make sure it’s not “swooping season”. No, I’m not making that up. There’s a swooping season that every Australian knows about. Australians prefer to keep this bit of key social knowledge to themselves, mostly so they can watch and laugh as these black-and-white beauties dive-bomb unsuspecting visitors who get too near a nest. And by “near”, I mean anywhere within a 5-10 mile radius. The magpie’s call is an odd, almost underwater-sounding warble. Not nearly as iconic as the kookaburra, but not nearly as annoying as the cockatoo. And if you hear it, you probably won’t get dive bombed. So you’ve got that going for you…
Viewing Tips: Backyards, roadside, parks… they’re everywhere.
Odds of seeing: 75% if you’re looking. 100% if you’re not ready for the swoop.
Noisy Miner, (Manorina melanocephala), AKA: Brother Can You Spare A Dime Bird
Noisy Miner, (Manorina melanocephala)
Photo credit: Sheila Dee
There’s a reason this spectacled little bird is called “noisy”, but I’ve no idea why it’s called a “miner”. There’s no way it could carry a pickaxe; not even held under its dorsal guiding feathers. But it is a very social bird, seemingly unperturbed by humans. In fact, they seem almost curious about us-- happily landing on window sills, park benches, and railings just a few feet away. But then you realize it’s not curiosity that’s driving them to approach you, it’s their expectation of a handout, waiting on dropped food or something shiny.
Viewing tips: Carry a sandwich.
Odds of seeing: 100%, with or without a sandwich.
Black-billed Spoonbill, (Platalea regia), AKA: I’m Not A Stork
Black-billed Spoonbill, (Platalea regia)
Photo credit: Sheila Dee
Eastern Australia has quite a few wetland areas and all of them are frequented by spoonbills. This large stork-like bird is quite noticeable with its bright white plumage atop a pair of jet black legs and a long, rounded-at-the-bottom bill. I have nothing funny to say about the spoonbill. It’s an elegant, lovely bird that makes any day more peaceful after viewing it.
Viewing tips: Quiet wetlands, preferably away from it’s louder cousins.
Odds of seeing: Outside of quiet wetlands, you probably won’t.
Australian Pelican, (Pelecanus conspicillatus), AKA: “Eat ALL The Things Fishy”
Australian Pelican, (Pelecanus conspicillatus)
Photo credit Sheila Dee
Australian pelicans are big birds that don’t care that you, a human, are only slightly bigger than they are. If they think there’s a chance you might give them a fish, they’ll walk right up to you in anticipation of their next meal. And if you actually do have a fish, there’s a good chance they will try to take it from you-- regardless of what you’d planned to do with it.
Viewing tips: Large flocks are near-permanent residents of fish markets along the Gold Coast.
Odds of seeing: High, if you’re along the coast. Approaching 100% if you’re fishing.
Ready to do your own birding in Australia? Slather yourself in sunscreen, put on your hat, don’t forget your sunnies, and look up. Or listen. And sometimes duck. Whichever. G’day!