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Discover the birds in your backyard by following the Thickly planted native sedges and shrubs provide Wetlands Heritage Trail which links current and shelter and a food source for birds. Once part of the former wetland habitats across the Town of Vincent. Claise Brook drainage system, the park has mature native and exotic trees and open grassy picnic areas Looking carefully across Smith's Lake you might to enjoy. spot the shy Buff-banded Rail in the sedges, or the honeyeaters in the flowering shrubs. Picnic on the Banks Reserve is located next to the Swan River. grassy banks of this permanent wetland, walk the Sit on the grass in the shade of well-established boardwalk for a bird's-eye view of the water or rest in trees and look for birds using Walters' Brook for the shade of mature trees as you watch for birds. drinking, bathing or as a food source. Native and introduced plants provide an inviting habitat for a Hyde Park is the ideal place to watch waterfowl with variety of birds. Nesting holes of the Sacred their young in spring and early summer. The two Kingfisher are visible among the leaf bases of the shallow permanent lakes have extensive bird life with nearby palms. bushy islands providing shelter and safe breeding Supported by the State sites. As one of Perth's oldest formal parks there are Head north on the Tony Di Scerni Path looking out Government’s Environmental extensive grassy areas with many mature exotic for raptors over the open river and grasslands. Walk Community Grants program trees and shrubs attracting a wide range of species. to the jetty to view birds foraging in remnants of the Nesting boxes have been installed to tempt riverine vegetation. pardalotes and bats back to the native flora garden. For information on the trail, visit Prepared by Birds Australia Western Australia Birds are welcome in Robertson Park at the www.vincentwetlands.com.au No. 58a in a series of bird guides of Western Australia revegetated 'Little Bojoormelup' seasonal wetland. December 2009
WATERFOWL GREBE HERON, IBIS, ALLIES Black Swan Australasian Grebe S(Br) H(Br)—C—Res Australian Pelican S H B—U—Vi S(Br) H(Br)—M—Res/Vi Eastern Great Egret S H B—U—Vi Tiny diving bird. Builds a Stately white bird, usually alone. Waits motionless floating nest of water weeds. then makes lightning thrusts at prey. Australian Shelduck S H(Br)—C—Res/Vi Hoary-headed Grebe H B—Ra—Nom White-faced Heron B—Ra—Vi Finely-streaked head pattern, dark nape stripe, silver eye. Feeds by wading in shallow Large, boldly marked. PIGEON, DOVE waters or on grassy banks. Feeds on grasslands or by Rock Dove* S—U—Vi sifting food from water. Introduced from Europe. Also known as Feral Pigeon. Nankeen Night-Heron S H—U—Res/Vi
Laughing Dove* Australian Wood Duck S H R B—C—Res Stocky, hunched posture. S(Br) H(Br) B(Br)—C—Res Feeds at dawn, dusk; roosts in From Asia; is smaller with trees during day. Often seen feeding on black-speckled lower throat. grassed areas. Spotted Dove* S H R B—M—Res Australian White Ibis S H B—M—Vi Large white bird with long black down-curved bill. Grey Teal From Africa/India. Less Probes water-logged areas for small aquatic S—Ra—Vi/Nom common, slightly larger with animals. spotted collar. Yellow-billed Spoonbill S H—Ra—Vi Smaller, more wary than Pacific Black Duck. CORMORANT Sweeps bill from side to Australasian Darter B—U—Vi side in search of small aquatic animals. Northern Mallard* / Domestic Duck* Specially jointed neck allows it S H B—U—Res/Vi to stab prey under water; submerges with barely a ripple. Pacific Black Duck RAPTOR S(Br) H(Br) B(Br)—C—Res/Vi Little Pied Cormorant S H B—C—Vi Brown Goshawk H—Ra—Vi
Feeds on plant or animal food Heavy brow gives 'glaring' by upending. Often nests in Stubby yellow bill; usually expression. Often flies through tree hollows. fishes alone. trees when hunting.
Hardhead S H(Br)—U—Res/Vi Peregrine Falcon B(Br)—Ra—Res Great Cormorant B—U—Vi Larger black bird with a conspicuous yellow facial Prefers deeper water; patch. More likely on Swan River. Dives on prey at speed, dives for molluscs and with half-closed wings. seeds. Male has a white Little Black Cormorant S H B—M—Vi eye. Similar to Little Pied but all black. Sometimes seen fishing in flocks on the river. CRAKE, RAIL, ALLIES CUCKOO RAVEN, CROW Purple Swamphen S H(Br) B—U—Res Shining Bronze-Cuckoo B—Ra—ViWi Australian Raven R S H(Br) B—C—Res Omnivorous. Builds a substantial stick nest.
Lays its egg in nest of a small FLYCATCHER, MONARCH Feeds on tender reed stems. bird such as a thornbill, which Magpie-lark Grazes on grassed areas. then rears the cuckoo chick. R S H B—C—Res
Mud-nest builders which retain KINGFISHER the same mate and territory Buff-banded Rail S—Ra—Vi Laughing Kookaburra* H B—U—Vi for life. Introduced from Victoria in the 1890s. Nests in tree hollows. Usually shy. In dense OLD WORLD WARBLER vegetation along water's edge. Sacred Kingfisher Australian Reed-Warbler S H B—Ra—Res S H B(Br)—U—ViSu
Nests in hollows. Feeds on Lives and nests among tall Dusky Moorhen S(Br) H(Br) B—C—Res insects and small reptiles. reeds. Rich, strong varied call in spring/summer.
Prefers fresh water. Feeds on vegetation, insects and frogs. BEE-EATER, ROLLER Little Grassbird B—Ra—Res Rainbow Bee-eater S H B—U—ViSu Elusive; in dense vegetation near water. More often identified by its melancholy, three-note call. Excavates a nest tunnel in Eurasian Coot S(Br) H(Br) B—C—Res sandy areas. Eats bees and WHITEYE other insects caught in flight. Silvereye S B—M—Nom
Moves in flocks searching for Has flattened lobed toes. SCRUBWREN, ALLIES grubs, aphis, berries and Feeds on land or in water. Western Gerygone nectar. Variety of thin high S—Ra—Vi? calls.
Tiny bird more easily located by slow, dreamy call. SWALLOW, MARTIN Searches for insects in Welcome Swallow R S B—C—Res/ViSu foliage. SHOREBIRD Note deeply forked tail. Builds Black-fronted Dotterel H—Ra—Res PARDALOTE a mud nest. Catches insects Striated Pardalote R S H B—M—Res in flight. Feeds on mudflats. Nests on ground, relying on cryptic Tiny bird. Searches for insects Tree Martin R S B—U—ViSu colouring and distraction among eucalypt foliage. Two note displays for protection. 'chip-chip' call. Distinguished from swallows by pale rump and only slightly forked tail.
NODDY, TERN, GULL HONEYEATER CODES Caspian Tern B—U—Vi Singing Honeyeater Areas R S H B—C—Res S Smith’s Lake H Hyde Park Heavy red bill is diagnostic. Common garden bird. Note black R Robertson Park Plunges for prey. stripe through eye, and off-white B Banks Reserve & Tony Di Scerni Path breast with darker streaks. Abundance Western Wattlebird S B—U—Nom C Common Silver Gull H B—C—Res Slightly smaller than Red Wattlebird, less raucous. M Moderately common Common 'seagull' found in picnic areas. Rufous wing patch seen in flight. U Uncommon R Rare PARROT Red Wattlebird R S H B—C—Res Galah S B—U—Res Largest of honeyeaters with fleshy red neck wattles. Status Noisy; aggressive to other birds (see cover). * Introduced species Br Breeds in area Has moved south from Brown Honeyeater R S H B—C—Nom Res Resident Murchison. Nests in hollows. Vi visitor Wi winter Su summer Feeds mainly on the ground. Nom Nomadic Small honeyeater with long Names of birds illustrated are shown in blue. curved bill. Has a number of Three species of Corella are seen in the Perth area musical calls. but only one is recorded locally. All flocks have built ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: up due to aviary escapes. Artists: S. Tingay, P. Free, J. Blyth, M. Bamford. New Holland Honeyeater Photos: J. Vogel. Little Corella* S H B—U—Vi R S H B—M—Res WHAT IS BIRDS AUSTRALIA? Boldly marked with bright Birds Australia is a non-profit organisation working for The smallest and plainest yellow wing patch. Usually in the enjoyment, study and conservation of Australia’s with the shortest bill. Lacks small parties, often noisy. birds. the red breast slash of The Western Australian members of Birds Australia are Long-billed Corella. CUCKOO-SHRIKE, TRILLER state-wide and are offered a variety of activities and Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike R B—M—Res services including conservation and research projects, excursions, camp-outs, bird surveys and social Rainbow Lorikeet* R S H B—C—Res/Vi Undulating flight; shuffles activities. wings on landing. Feeds on We also have a library, books for sale and information insects, berries and seeds. about birds. From aviary escapes in the To view our full range of bird guides and bird lists, visit 1960s. Now occurs throughout BUTCHERBIRD, CURRAWONG our web site. the metro area and beyond. Australian Magpie INTERESTED? R S H B—M—Res Family groups; proclaims territory Contact us at: Australian Ringneck S B—U—Res with song. White-backed bird is Birds Australia Western Australia the male. 167 Perry Lakes Drive Floreat WA 6014 Weekdays 9.30 – 12.30pm Also known as Twenty-eight, FANTAIL from one of its many calls. Willie Wagtail R S H B—C—Res Ph: (08) 9383-7749 Eats fruit, seeds, insects and larvae. Plucky, friendly. Builds a neat Fax: (08) 9387-8412 nest of spiderweb. Feeds on Email: [email protected] insects, spiders and worms. Web: www.birdsaustralia.com.au/wa