Gallery
(aka Masked Plover, Spur-winged Plover)
Size: Medium (330mm–380mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Insects, spiders, worms, small crabs, seeds
Habitat: Grasslands, mud flats, town parks
Family: Charadriidae
Notes
This bird has adapted well to human's spread, using cleared open spaces for feeding and nesting. Usually in groups, or pairs when breeding, they are ground dwelling birds. They stalk their prey, shoulders hunched and head down, often giving a short run before jabbing at their prey. At night and day, flocks rest or roost by standing in shallow water or small islands in the water. As breeding approaches (November to June), they become aggressive and territorial, often dive bombing humans as well as other animals and birds. The sharp spur on the forewing could inflict serious injury, but they rarely make contact. Their screams are enough to warn off most sensible animals. Eggs are laid on open ground, with both sexes sitting on them in turns.
(aka Red-capped Dotterel)
Size: Small (140mm–160mm)
Sexes: Female lacks sharp black face markings with crown and feet paler.
Food: Small insects, worms, molluses, seeds (et aq plants)
Habitat: Sandy areas at coast and inland
Family: Charadriidae
Notes
Usually occurs in pairs or small groups on bare sand and mud flats. They are waders and have a typical plover feeding pattern: swift run in short spurts followed by peck. Breeding pairs have a territory which they defend, and they scrape a small hole in the sand or soil for the nest. They way breed 3 times in one year. If disturbed, the parents will pretend to be injured and run away from the nest to distract predator from the young.
(aka Pied Stilt)
Size: Medium (360mm–390mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Snails, flies, aquatic insects, shrimps
Habitat: Fresh and saltwater marshes; flooded paddocks
Family: Recurvirostridae
Notes
The spindly long red legs of this bird gives it the name. It can hunt in waters up to 15cm deep because of these, and does not need to swim or dive for food. It has a very tiny mouth, and jabs and probes for small prey on top and amongst the mud. Their call is an unusual puppy-like 'bark'. It nests in August–December, mainly around the edges of lakes in water or around swamp plants. They seem to be nomadic, travelling to new feeding grounds at night.
Family: Haematopodidae
(aka Beach Stone-Curlew)
Size: Large (530mm–580mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Crabs, snails, mussels, pippies
Habitat: Reefs, beaches, coastal mud flats
Family: Burhinidae
Notes
Can be distinguished from the Bush Thick knee by its more obvious patterns of light and dark stripes on head, and a thicker heavier bill. It uses this bill to crack or bash and break up hard shelled animals such as crabs, feeding mainly at night along the water's edge. During the day they rest in shady foreshores or mangrove edges. They live in small groups or pairs, and breed from October to February. Their usually lay one egg in a shallow hole among the flotsam above high water mark. Their mournful cry at night is similar to the Bush Thick knee, and gets very loud during the breeding season.
These birds are currently under study, as they seem to be declining in numbers along our coastline south of the Daintree and are not breeding successfully. Any sightings, especially of adults with chicks, should be reported to the local National Parks office.
(aka Bush Stone-Curlew)
Size: Large (500mm–580mm)
Sexes: Similar, male slightly larger
Food: Insects
Habitat: Open woodlands, near beaches
Family: Burhinidae
Notes
These birds are night feeders, looking for food on the ground amongst litter or wading through shallow water. By day they ret and hide. If disturbed during the day, they prefer to crouch and freeze, or stalk slowly away rather than fly. At night they make a loud mournful wailing 'wee-loo' sound. Breeding occurs from July to January, and they scrape a small clearing on bare ground, relying on colour and camouflage to hide the eggs. During the breeding season, their 'wailing' becomes louder and more often, as it marks their territory. Bush Thick Knees usually remain in the one area through the year.
A pair of Bush Thick Knees have been resident at the centre since 1998. They have been known to breed twice a year, once early in the year January to March and later in the year, September to November. They usually have two chicks with one of ten left to fend for itself (and always dies) as the dominant chick takes all food offered.
(aka Sharp-tailed Stint, Siberian Sandpiper)
Size: Medium (190mm–220mm)
Sexes: Similar, males larger
Food: Worms, snails, small crabs, insects, aquatic plants
Habitat: Tidal shores of estuaries, edges of lakes and swamps. Prefer fresh and brackish to salt.
Family: Scolopacidae
Notes
Another migrant bird from the Siberian tundra near the Arctic. It breeds there, then travels south along China and east Asia to the western Pacific and Australia, arriving in July/September. It stays here feeding until April/May next year, when it returns north to breed (in their 'summer'). They are common sometimes in large groups, and feed by walking along picking and probing through mud and shallow water. If disturbed they give a sharp metallic 'peep' when taking off.
(aka Sea Curlew)
Size: Large (580mm–620mm – including bill of 180mm)
Sexes: Similar, female is world's largest wading bird
Food: Worms and crabs in Australia; Frogs, beetles, insects and berries in Siberia
Habitat: Estuaries, mud flats and soft, sandy beaches.
Family: Scolopacidae
Notes
Another migratory bird from Siberia and northern China. They breed there in the north's summer in April/May, and visit our eastern shores through our summer, September to March. They can be recognized from the smaller whimbrel by the length of their bill (4-5 times as long as their head which they use to probe the mud and sand for worms and crabs). They may occur in large numbers together.
(aka Bar-rumpled Godwit)
Size: Medium (380mm–450mm)
Sexes: Similar, females larger, males a reddish colour in breeding season
Food: Molluscs, prawns, crabs,mussels, worms
Habitat: Tidal flats, often inland as well
Family: Scolopacidae
Notes
These birds nest and breed near the Arctic in Siberia and Alaska, in June/July by making dish like hollow lined with moss, on the surface of marshy swamps. After the breeding season, they migrate to the south in September, gathering in large flocks up to 2000, on mudflats, especially in northern Western Australia. Their long sensitive, slightly upturned bills are used to collect food from under the mud, sweeping them from side to side, and thrusting deep. They are wading birds and rarely swim. They fly as a close flock, and can be recognized by their white rump and black and white barred tail.
(aka Little Curlew)
Size: Medium (400mm–430mm)
Sexes: Similar, female bill slightly longer
Food: Worms, molluscs, crabs, prawn, insects, seeds and fruit
Habitat: Estuaries, seashores, sometimes inland
Family: Scolopacidae
Notes
This bird breeds in the cold tundra of eastern Siberia (near the Arctic) during June and July. It then flies south reaching northern Australia in August and September and returns around April/May. The total distance traveled is 6000 km one way! They may be seen in small flocks and have a light, fast flight and turn in tight circles. It's bill is shorter than the 'real' curlew (ie. Eastern Curlew). The call it makes is a loud rippling whistle.
(aka Sacred Ibis)
Size: Large (680mm–750mm)
Sexes: Similar, males have longer bills
Food: Varied, crustaceans, water insects, crickets, worms, fish
Habitat: Wetlands, pastures, tidal flats
Family: Plataleidae
Notes
The white ibis has a long black downward curved bill with a black featherless head and neck. It probes in the mud for its food, sometimes holding its head under water and will also feed in wet paddocks for insects. They are nomadic and can travel up to 3000 km from where they were born. It breeds in colonies in September–April, on nests of sticks on low plants. It only starts to breed after floods, as this ensures a good food supply for them and the chicks. They have an interesting courtship display with the male grasping a twig in his bill and doing bows, until the female also grasps the twig, and then they preen each other.
(aka Black-bill Spoonsbill)
Size: Large (750mm–800mm)
Sexes: Similar, males with slightly larger bill
Food: Insects, crabs, prawns, fish
Habitat: Shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands, tidal flats
Family: Plataleidae
Notes
Easily recognized by its bill which it uses to search for food. It is swept from side to side through the mud, held partly open, till it touches something. The food is then grabbed and flicked upwards and back into the mouth where it is crushed and swallowed. They may even hunt at night if food is scarce. Breeding is in October to May, building a shallow nest of sticks on bushes or trees, generally above the water. Up to 4 eggs are laid, with both parents taking turns to sit. If parents are scared off in the early stages, they may leave the nest permanently, leaving the eggs to rot. When breeding, they develop long plumes on the back of the head and neck. They fly in a V formation like ibis and cormorants.
Family: Plataleidae
(aka Jabiru)
Size: Very large (1100mm–1300mm)
Sexes: Similar, adult male has black eyes, female has yellow
Food: Snakes, crabs, frogs, rats, lizards, mostly fish
Habitat: River pools, swamps, tidal flats
Family: Ciconiidae
Notes
Australia's only stork, easily recognized by size, colour and shape. Usually seen alone or as a pair, striding slowly through shallow water, probing with its huge bill for food. They often stand and wait, like herons, and grab at prey, swallowing with a backward jerk of the head. Breeding occurs in February to June, building a large platform nest of sticks high on top of large trees. Adults stay together and will re-use they nest year after year. They lay up to 4 eggs, and on hot days after the eggs hatch, the parents carry water in their bills to the nest and pour it over the young. These young ones can stay in the nest for up to 4 months before leaving.
(aka Red-backed sea eagle)
Size: Large (450mm–510mm)
Sexes: Similar, female larger
Food: Fish, crab, lizards, small birds, snakes.
Usually scavenges for animals washed up by the tide.
Habitat: Along coastal mangrove inlets occasionally inland along rivers
Family: Accipitridae
Notes
Brahminy kites are solitary birds, usually seen soaring up to 50m above their feeding grounds, in low tight circles. Most prey are taken and eaten on the ground except small animals which it may carry to a tree to eat. They form breeding pairs from April to October, building a nest with sticks and twigs high up in a forked tree. The nest is about half a metre wide and lined with leaves, weed and litter. The female sits on the eggs and the male brings food to her and the chicks.
Size: Large (500mm–560mm)
Sexes: Similar, female larger
Food: Live small birds, insects and reptiles
on and around trees; Young birds from nests.
Habitat: Open eucalyst woodland and forest, scrubs
Family: Accipitridae
Notes
These birds can be seen gliding on air currents, twisting and flexing wing tips and square tail from side to side. They feed amongst the tree tops, being expert nest robbers, but sometimes will take prey on the ground. Pairing in these birds seems permanent, with the same nest being used each year. They breed in July–October, the nest is large up to 1 metre tall and high up a tree on a thick branch. Male and females share nest building and hatching eggs.
(aka Carrier Hawk)
Size: Large (500mm–550mm)
Sexes: Similar, female larger
Food: Mostly dead animals;
Will take small live animals and large insects
Habitat: Open woodlands near swamps and rivers and coast
Family: Accipitridae
Notes
A common bird, it sour about in the air looking for dead or living prey on the ground, and is classed mostly as scavenger. It utters a shrill whistling cry that you can hear up to a kilometre away. It often occurs in small flocks and also by itself when searching for food. They find to breed at any time when there is ample food. The nest is high in trees often near a river, large stick nests which the pairs reuse each year. The female incubates while the male hunts and feeds the chicks.
(aka Fork-tailed Kite)
Size: Large (480mm–550mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Scavengers on dead animals and refuse,
sometimes eating live rats lizards and grasshoppers.
Habitat: Open woodland and grassland often near rubbish dumps/cane fields.
Family: Accipitridae
Notes
Groups of these birds are often seen hovering together, sometimes in large numbers around cane or grass fires, looking for any escaping rats or dead animals in the fire. They fly slowly with glides and slow wing beats, constantly twisting their tail to control their flight. Black kites often feed on road kills, and also follow farmers as they cultivate fields, eating grubs and insects that are turned up. They breed in March–May in the north, high up in trees, building a rough stick nest. The forked tail of this bird helps identify it.
(aka White-breasted sea eagle)
Size: Large (760mm–840mm)
Sexes: Similar, female larger
Food: Variety, including fish, snakes,
tortoises, water fowl, rabbits, carrion
Habitat: Coastal estuaries and along large rivers and lakes up to 320km inland
Family: Accipitridae
Notes
A very large bird, it hunts for food by soaring above to search, or by sitting on a favourite high perch waiting. When it spots a fish, it swoops down, making sure its shadow doesn't scare the fish and grabs it with its talons. They sometimes rob other birds of their prey. They mate for life, and breed from May to October, building a huge nest up to 4m deep with sticks and lined with green leaves. It is usually high up in a tree. The female does most of the egg sitting while the male hunts for food. After hatching, normally only one chick survives, as it hogs all the food and bullies the others.
(aka Fish hawk)
Size: Large (530mm–630mm)
Sexes: Similar, female large, with browner head and breast than male
Food: Mainly fish up to 2kg also water snakes
Habitat: Coast and inlets
Family: Pandionidae
Notes
This hawk is found worldwide, but has become threatened in Europe due to eating insects with a poison, DDT, in them. This causes thin egg shells, which crack and kill the unborn chick inside. The big threat to them in Australia is loss of coastal habitat by clearing, and reduction of tall nesting trees. They catch fish by soaring high above the water, then either swoop low to grab a surface fish or snake, or plunge feet first into the water, sometimes disappearing for a while under water. To help them catch and hold slippery fish, they have small sharp spikes on the soles of their feet as well as large claws. Ospreys often use the same nest year after year, breeding in July–September up north. The nest is large and made of sticks and can be on a high rock or cliff as well as trees. The female does most of the egg hatching with the male bringing food to her. The centre has a permanent Osprey that returns nearly everyday to the exact same branch, at approximately the same time and with the same species of fish ie. Wolf Herring. This has been happening since 1999.
(aka Blue or Bush kingfisher)
Size: Small (190mm–220mm)
Sexes: Similar, males with white collar at back of neck, female has blue neck
Food: Beetles, bugs, spiders, small reptiles, frogs, worms
Habitat: Woodlands, open forest, paperbark swamps
Family: Alcedinidae
Notes
A fairly common kingfisher, usually seen on land and not over water. The ones on the east coast are migratory, flying north here for the winter. They build a short burrow in termites nests, above ground in a tree, or sometimes in a hollow limb. They open the hole by flying at it head on, which can cause injury to the bird. The babies eject their droppings through the front hole into the open, with parents defending them aggressively. One way of telling these birds is by the white spots or dollars on their wings seen when flying.
(aka White-collared Kingfisher)
Size: Medium (250mm–280mm)
Sexes: Different. Female duller, more browner colour
Food: Crustaceans, small fish, worms, insects, intertidal animals
Habitat: Restricted to mangroves in Australia
Family: Alcedinidae
Notes
Usually found by themselves or in pairs on a mangrove branch close to water. They are typical “perch and pounce” feeders shaking and beating their prey before swallowing it head first. They normally pick up their food on the surface of mud and pools, not by diving under water. Some birds migrate, but those in warmer areas like North Queensland may stay here all year round. They breed from September to March, and drill a hole into the side of termite nests in trees, or in mangrove tree hollows, about 3 metres above the ground. Both males and females do this, and it can take up to 2 weeks to make their nest, which is in a small chamber.
(aka White-collared Kingfisher)
Size: Small (190mm–230mm)
Sexes: Similar, female duller and greyer
Food: Small reptiles, insects, beetles, fish
Habitat: Open forests, woodlands, mangroves, rivers
Family: Alcedinidae
Notes
Often confused with other small kingfishers – the Azure (with a deeper royal blue back) and short cut off tail, and the collared (with a pure white breast). Usually a solitary bird, it pairs only for breeding. Its nest is a burrow, usually in a termite nest in a tree or hollow limb. Both parents incubate the nest and rear the group. In spring in the south they form family group for a short time, then may migrate to northern Australia in autumn and winter.
(aka White-collared Kingfisher)
Size: Medium (400mm–450mm)
Sexes: Similar, male often with blue patch on rump
Food: Lizards, snakes, birds mice, insects; Main diet is invertebrates
Habitat: Open forests, woodlands, mangroves, rivers
Family: Alcedinidae
Notes
Well known bird, it is the largest of its type (Kingfisher) in the world. They do not need free water to exist, and spread throughout woodlands in Australia. They occupy the same territory year round, forming family social groups. Adults mate for life, and may live for 20 years and raise 2 or 3 young per year. The young stay with the parents for about 4 years and help defend the territory, and protect and feed babies. The system improves the chance of survival for all members of the family. Breeding occurs in September – January, usually in a hold or hollow in a tree trunk. The laughing call is the territory marker, and one aboriginal legend says the laughter at dawn is the signal for the sky people to light up the sun.
(aka Rainbow Bee-Eater)
Size: Small (210mm–240mm)
Sexes: Similar female slightly duller with shorter thicker tail
Food: Native bees, wasps, insects
Habitat: Open forest along creeks and river banks
Family: Alcedinidae
Notes
These birds are easily recognized by their beautiful iridescent multi-colour and two extended tail feathers. They are often seen perching on wires or posts, from which they dart out gracefully and glide and twist catching insects in flight. The sting of bees and wasps is squeezed and bashed out before the insect is eaten. Bee-eaters are north-south migrants, spending winter in northern Australia, arriving here around March. They are social birds, flying in groups up to 30 and help each other dig their nesting burrows. These are a tunnel up to 1 metre long in a sandy bank or bare ground, with a small chamber at the end of it for eggs. The young are hatched and fed by parents and helpers, up to 8 birds per nest.
(aka Purple kingfisher)
Size: Small (170mm–190mm;
inc. 40mm-50mm bill)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Small fish, crustaceans, insects
Habitat: Rivers, creeks, mangroves
Family: Alcedinidae
Notes
A stunning small bird, which is most often noticed only when it flys, and the brilliant blue colour catches your eye. It normally spends its time sitting quietly for up to an hour on a low branch over water, waiting to spot a fish. It then dives down, catching it in its strong beak and returns to the perch to eat the fish, head first. Males often chase females up and down creeks in the breeding season, October to April, our wet season. They build a nest by burrowing a tunnel 1 metre long into the side of a creek bank with a small chamber at the end for the eggs. The bill is used as a digging tool for this. Tree clearing along creek and river banks has damaged this bird’s habitat on the coast.
(aka Imperial Pigeon)
Size: Medium (350mm–400mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Seeds and fruit of rainforest trees
Habitat: Coastal rainforests, mangroves, islands
Family: Columbidae
Notes
A spectacular bird, with pure white feathers and black on wings and tail. It lives in New Guinea in the winter and migrates south to Northern Australia where it breeds in the summer September – February. Fruits most eaten include lawyer vine, northern laurel, scrub turpentine, native olive, northern walnut and nutmeg trees. In the past it has been shot in large numbers for food, but now is totally protected. Clearing of its food sources, the rainforest, by man, and cyclones appear to now be the biggest threat to survival, along with disturbance of nesting sites. It nests mainly on offshore islands in large colonies (up to 25 000 birds off Port Douglas), and flies to the mainland to feed during the day. About half the birds make the trip each day, the others staying to mind the nests and chicks. They fly in flocks and make loud cooing noises, which is an amazing sound in a large colony.
(aka Scrub fowl, Jungle Fowl, Scrub Hen)
Size: Medium (400mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Fruit and seeds, shoots, insects, snails, worms
Habitat: Floor of rainforests, vine forests, coastal areas and islands
Family: Megapodiidae
Notes
Easily recognized and well known for the very large mound of nesting materials they heap up. It can be as much as 3 metres high and 7 metres diameter. The decaying vegetation releases heat, which acts as an incubator for the large (9cm) eggs which are laid in deep holes inside the mound. Both parents dig holes in the mound and insert their head to check temperature for the eggs. If too hot, they scratch the mound open, if too cold, add more litter. They breed from August to March, and probably mate for life. When the young hatch and scrape their way to the surface, they are fully developed, and run off with parents not looking after them. It can make loud noises and several pairs may share they same nest to maintain their territory.
There is a pair of Orange-footed scrub fowls that have lived on the grounds since the centre was established in 1991. They continually build their nest but we have never any offspring.
Mangrove Heron (Ardeola striata)
(aka Striated Heron)
Size: Medium (400mm–460mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Crustaceans, fish (particularly mudskippers), snails, insects
Habitat: Mangroves
Family: Ardeidae
Notes
Mangrove herons are solitary birds, roosting alone on low branches at high tide in the mangroves, and flying low over the mudflats at low tide looking for food. It is a permanent resident, living in a set territory. Their nest is a platform of sticks in the fork of a mangrove. Both male and female look after the eggs and feed the young.
(aka White fronted heron)
Size: Large (650mm–690mm)
Sexes: Similar, males larger
Food: Crustaceans, squid, fish, insects, frogs, snails, worms
Habitat: Most areas near wetlands
Family: Ardeidae
Notes
A common bird, sometimes seen near cities. When hunting for food, it keeps its neck tucked in, and shoots it out quickly to grab its prey. A special hinge at the sixth vertebra allows it to do this. They tend to wait and watch, or slow stalk, for their food. When flying, it folds its neck close to its body and the long legs trail behind. They sleep at night in trees. Breeding occurs September–January, building a nest of sticks on a horizontal branch of a tall tree. The males and females share egg hatching, with the young ones staying with their parents until next season.
(aka Large egret, white egret)
Size: Large (800mm–900mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Mostly fish, also insects, crustaceans, frogs
Habitat: Waters of lakes, swamps, rivers, dams, intertidal wetlands
Family: Ardeidae
Notes
This is the largest of the white egrets, which are long-legged birds that move very slowly as they walk in shallow water, looking for food. They are masters of the 'wait and watch' strategy, staying still for a long time before stalking and darting their bill suddenly. Their necks are actually longer than their body. This bird normally hunts alone in a set territory. Their nest is a platform of sticks usually high in a tree, and near other egret's nests.
Size: Medium (560mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Small fish, frogs, worms, insects
Habitat: Shallows of wetlands, tidal flats
Family: Ardeidae
Notes
Usually found by itself, walking in shallow water on mud flats. Its black bill distinguishes it from other egrets which have yellow bills. When hunting, it stands still and waits for prey to move, and may move one foot around to disturb prey. This egret has trouble catching fish bigger than 10cm, and often loses them. It sometimes dashes after food with a quick high stepping run, raising its wings. Breeding occurs mainly in spring and summer, the nest being a platform of sticks in trees or bush, and usually in colonies. When breeding it develops long head plumes.
(aka Reef Heron)
Size: Large (600mm–650mm)
Sexes: Similar, male larger
Food: Mostly fish, also insects, crustaceans
Habitat: Intertidal zone of reefs and mangroves
Family: Ardeidae
Notes
Found only in coastal, island and reef areas, this bird hunts during day and night over the exposed tidal flats, by itself. They often crouch down to make them less visible to fish, and strike quickly, sometimes underwater. About half of their strikes are successful. In dirty or weedy water, they may stir the bottom with one foot to scare out prey. Two colour forms exists, white and grey, with the white being more common in tropical areas. Both colours may be seen together. It breeds from August to April, the nest being a platform of sticks in a trees, low shrubs or on the ground.
(aka Alligator bird)
Size: Very large (1050mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Fish, crabs
Habitat: Mangroves, mudflats, lagoons in northern Australia
Family: Ardeidae
Notes
This bird is not common, and is a rare find for birdwatchers. So elusive is this huge grey bird, which stands over a metre tall that it will stand quite still against mangroves or rainforest, as a boat passes by, and not be seen at all. It feeds at low tide, and at high tide flies into mangroves and perches there. They seem to pair permanently, hold a feeding territory along a river, and may have several nests there. These are places in mangroves and may be covered by water at high tide. When breeding, they develop long plumes on the back of the head, and may make engine-like drumming noises which some people have incorrectly thought is a crocodile's bark. Usually only one young is raised
(aka Yellow-breasted Sunbird)
Size: Small (100mm–115mm)
Sexes: Different – male has bright metallic blue
upper chest, female yellow chest.
Food: Flower nectar, spiders
Habitat: Rainforest edges, mangroves, gardens and houses along northern Queensland coast
Family: Nectariniidae
Notes
A unique and beautiful bird which often builds its nest around houses in the Cairns area. The nest is a long spindle-shaped mixture of sticks, leaves, cobwebs, bark and feathers with a hood extending over the entrance in the middle. It is often attached to a hanging wire or branch, and built mostly by the female as the male guards the territory. Pairs of sunbirds re-use the nest year after year, but the young ones are sometimes attacked by butcher birds once a nest is found. The sunbird has appeared to benefit from humans – mainly due to increase in flower numbers through the year, and protection for their nests. They have a specially adapted tongue that is rolled into a tube so nectar can flow up. Large flowers are either pierced near the base, or petals torn off, to get at the nectar. They may have up to 3 broods per year.
(aka Aust. Swallow, House Swallow)
Size: Small (150mm)
Sexes: Similar. Mature males with longer outer wing feathers
Food: Small flying insects, moths, midges
Habitat: All areas, particularly near water
Family: Hirundinidae
Notes
A sometimes not-so-welcome bird, as it builds mud and stick nests on buildings and other man-made structures. They have a deeply-forked tail, and occur in large flocks, roosting together at night. They catch insects in flight, being expert fliers, and are often seen swooping low over the ground or water chasing them.
Size: Small (170mm–180mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Insects
Habitat: Tropical woodland near water
Family: Artamidae
Notes
This bird is communal living in flocks 10-50,and are very sociable, sitting on branches tightly side by side, pruning each other. They hunt insects on the wing rarely feeding off the ground. They chirp quietly constantly to each other when roosting and if danger threaten, such as a bird of prey, the chirp becomes a loud call, and they may as a group 'mob' or attack the bird. They nest is an open bowl of twigs and grass, high in trees. In the north breeding usually occur after summer rain. The young stay with their parents for many weeks after leaving the nest.
Size: Small (190mm–210mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Insects, spiders, worms
Habitat: Everywhere except very wet forests
Family: Pachycephalidae
Notes
Very common garden bird, which seems to survive city areas well. They feed in open areas, picking insects off the ground, often in flight. They sometimes follow cattle or tractors, catching insects that are disturbed by them. Willies form pairs and set up a breeding territory in August to January, and build a small round cup shaped nest of fine grass and cobwebs on horizontal branches. Their white eyebrow is used as a signalling device in territory disputes by enlarging it, with the loser withdrawing the brow so no white shows. The calls it makes are varied, from a whistle like 'sweet pretty little creature', to a noisy chatter when chasing away larger birds.
Size: Medium (420mm–440mm)
Sexes: Similar, male larger, juveniles brown
Food: Small birds, nestlings, frogs, large insects, crustaceans, fruit
Habitat: Rainforest, mangroves
Family: Cracticidae
Notes
Fairly common around Cairns, this bird gets its name from its habit of wedging its prey in the fork of a branch, and then tearing it apart with its large hooked bill to eat. In mangroves, they walk about at low tide, looking for crabs and prawns, they hunt by themselves, but breeding pairs have territories of up to 10 Ha, and defend them by loud calls between male and female. Breeding is in September to February, the nest a bowl of sticks and twigs in a forked branch 2 to 10m above the ground. The young often don't survive once they leave the nest because of strong competition for territories.
(aka Indian mynah, mynah bird)
Size: Medium (230mm–250mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Scavengers, eat almost anything
Habitat: Cities, houses
Family: Sturnidae
Notes
An introduced bird, now very common and a pest around Cairns and North Queensland. It was brought in during 1883 to North Queensland to eat insect pests of cane fields (not successful). The mynah is a very adaptable bird, with its varied diet and aggressive behaviour, and crowds out native birds by competing with food sources and nest sites. They can be a pest of crops also, eating seedlings. Nests are built mostly in man made structures such as gutters and ceilings of houses, blocking drainage pipes and bringing lice into homes. It breeds from October to March, laying glossy pale blue eggs, and pairs appear to mate for life.
(aka Spectacled Pelican)
Size: Large (1600mm–1800mm)
Sexes: Similar, female smaller
Food: Fish, crustaceans, tadpoles
Habitat: Fresh and saltwater lakes, swamps and estuaries throughout Australia
Family: Pelecanidae
Notes
Pelicans are large water birds, highly adapted for swimming and flying. All four toes are webbed, resulting in a huge paddle area. It is waterproofed by use of an oil gland at the back of its tail, using its bill to lubricate the feathers. An average adult weighs 9-12kg, and its bill can hold up to 10 litres of water. The huge bill scoops up water and fish then squeezes out the water by pressing its bill to the chest. It can eat up to 9kg of food a day. Sometimes they fish in teams by surrounding and driving fish into the shallows. They can breed at any time of year, building a nest in a hollow on the ground and lining it with all sorts of things, whatever is handy. The adults feed their chicks by bringing up food from its gullet. Pelicans belong to a very old group of birds with some fossils found in Australian rocks 40 million years old.
Size: Large (610mm)
Sexes: Similar, female smaller
Food: Fish, crustaceans
Habitat: Estuaries and inland waters and dams
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Notes
A common bird, usually occurring in flocks, more often in freshwaters. They sometimes hunt as a group, chasing schools of fish by diving and swimming fast underwater, the birds at the back leapfrogging those at the front. Their feathers don't have much oil in them, so they are not very waterproof, and they have to spread out their wings to dry when they perch. They breed in Spring–Autumn, the nest built of twigs and sticks on a horizontal branch near water. Up to 6 eggs are laid, and they nest in groups or colonies. In flight, flocks appear in a V formation like spoonbills and ibis.
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
(aka Snake-bird)
Size: Large (850mm–900mm)
Sexes: Similar, male glossy black all over,
female grey brown above, pale grey below
Food: Fish, small turtles, water insects some plants
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, swamps, coastal estuaries
Family: Anhingidae
Notes
Get its snake-bird name from the way it swims along with its head sticking out of the water. Its feather are not waterproof and get soaked quickly. This helps it dive down to catch prey underwater, its webbed feet making it a strong swimmer. They can stay underwater for up to a minute, then surface quickly for a breath and dive down again. Small prey are eaten as they swim, but larger fish and turtles are brought to the surface, to be eaten head first. After feeding they spend a lot of time drying their wings and feathers by hanging them out and preening with oil. They may also hunt by stalking in the shallows, spearing prey with its sharp beak. Their nest is an untidy mix of twigs and leaves, in a tree above water. If disturbed, the young chicks may dive into the water to hide, returning later to climb back in the nest.
Centre data collected since 1996 suggests the birds do migrate to the coast as they are usually not spotted until____.
Size: Medium (370mm–430mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Fish, crustaceans, insects, crabs
Habitat: Inland and coastal swamp estuaries
Family: Laridae
Notes
A nomadic and migratory bird, they live in both freshwater and salt areas, though rarely seen in true marine areas. They have short black bills and squarish tail. They fish from the air, flying about 5-30km above surface, then swooping down the pluck their prey. Breeding is in colonies close together, on the open ground or amongst bushes. In spring and summer they move south over inland swamps, breeding in these areas.
Size: Medium (350mm–380mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Small fish
Habitat: Coastal waters and open sea
Family: Laridae
Notes
A faint reddish colour on the underneath gives the Roseate tern its name. They are often seen sitting on posts in the water, or in flocks over the water swooping for fish, diving almost straight down from 8m up. They fish by day, and at night roost on the ground on beaches or islands. Breeding is from September–December, scraping a nest on the ground in sand or coral on islands in colonies. Pairs share nesting by pushing their mate off the nest or by offering fish. After hatching, they may travel up to 1800km away.
(aka Seagull)
Size: Medium (400mm–450mm)
Sexes: Similar, male with slightly stouter bill.
Food: Scavengers, eat almost anything
Habitat: Coastal and inland waters, cities
Family: Laridae
Notes
This is one of the few birds to benefit from the arrival of Europeans since 1770. It is very adaptable in its feeding habits, and is the common gull seen in and around Cairns. On the seashore they feed on crustaceans and worms in seaweed washed up, and gather in large flocks at night to sleep in open spaces, taking turns to keep watch on the outside. Only adults have white eyes with a red eye ring, red bill and feet, young ones have dark eyes, bill and feet. They usually nest on the ground on islands in the south, in colonies. They have a social pecking order, older birds dominating younger ones.
Size: Small (210mm–240mm)
Sexes: Similar
Food: Small fish, insects
Habitat: Coast, estuaries, beaches
Family: Laridae
Notes
Australia's smallest tern, occurring in small flocks on beaches and reefs in the north and east coasts, northern groups may migrate south in spring and summer to breed. Asian migrants may take their place moving in with the reverse happening in winter. They have a elaborate courtship behaviour with the males and females presenting fish to each other parading. They breed on bare beach in colonies and shingle just above high water mark. In the south east these colonies are declining due to disturbance of breeding sites.