Cockatiel parrots
Cockatiel parrot in aviary, Pinnaroo Caravan Park
The public aviary I visited in Pinnaroo last week contained a good variety of Australian parrots. One species I was able to photograph through the wire mesh was a Cockatiel parrot. Up until now I hadn’t managed a good shot of this species in the wild, so I was pleased to get this photo.
Cockatiels are found throughout many parts of mainland Australia, except coastal NSW and southern Victoria. Their preferred habitats include open woodlands, scrubland, plains, timbered watercourses and grain growing farmlands. They are known to be nomadic in response to rainfall.
They make their nest in a tree hollow, often near water and their breeding season is from August to December.They feed on a variety of grass seeds, nuts, berries and grain.
They are known in some areas by their Aboriginal name Quarrion, a name which mimics one of their calls. They make excellent pets and can be taught to speak a few words. I remember having one at home when I was a child, but he didn’t learn many words – despite my efforts.
Related articles:
Bird aviary, Pinnaroo Caravan Park
1 Comment »17th February, 2010; Category: Aviaries, Bird Behaviour, Camera, Parrots and Lorikeets, Zoos
Bird aviary, Pinnaroo Caravan Park
During my visit to Pinnaroo last week I saw a sign pointing to a public aviary. It turned out to be adjacent the caravan park and consisted of one large aviary (shown in the photo above) plus three or four smaller ones. Surrounding these aviaries was a large enclosure with some Emus and a Black Swan in residence. The larger aviary contained a variety of Australian parrots and a Peaceful Dove.
A sign on the front of the cage says: “Be careful: we may bite.” (Click the image to enlarge.)
The one I’d be most careful of was the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. He immediately came to the wire in front of me to check me out and to inspect my camera – or was it to pose for a photo? I certainly wouldn’t like to get my finger in his beak!
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo in aviary, Pinnaroo Caravan Park
I had trouble taking photos through the wire mesh, and wherever I tried to focus on the birds through it, the cockatoo came and posed front and centre. I guess he figured that he was the star of the show. Of course he had been taught to speak the usual phrases and greeted me with a cheery “Hello Cocky” as I was getting out of the car. He then proceeded to use his full vocabulary like “Dance, Cocky, dance” and other phrases.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo in aviary, Pinnaroo Caravan Park
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo in aviary, Pinnaroo Caravan Park
Related articles:
Red-winged Parrot
Red-winged Parrot (male) in aviary, Pinnaroo
I have never seen this beautiful species in the wild. The Red-winged Parrot is certainly one parrot on my “must see” list. The major reason for never having seen one in the natural environment is that its normal distribution covers large parts of northern Australia, most of Queensland and parts of NSW, areas I have yet to visit. That needs to be corrected in the near future.
This bird, a male, with a female behind it in the photo, was photographed in an aviary next to the Pinnaroo Caravan Park in eastern South Australia. I had trouble taking the photo because of the wire netting making up the aviary, so I’m pleased it turned out quite nicely.
The Red-winged Parrot is widespread throughout its range. Its preferred habitat includes grassy woodlands, timbered watercourses, dry scrubs and sometimes mangroves. It feeds in the foliage of trees on blossoms, on seeds and insects. It will sometimes feed on seeds on the ground. It nests in a tree hollow, often near water.
For more information click here.
Black-tailed Native-hen
Lake Roberts, Lameroo, eastern South Australia
On the way home from my trip to Pinnaroo in eastern South Australia last Friday I called in on the artificial lake at Lameroo. Lake Roberts is next to the caravan park and golf course on the eastern edge of town. We’ve often stopped there for lunch or morning tea on our way to the eastern states.
This lake is an average birding spot and one of the few places to observe water birds for many miles in every direction. The Murray mallee region has very few places where there is open water. I only stayed for a few minutes but still managed a nice list of birds.
- Australian Wood Duck: about 15-20 feeding on the lawn around the lake
- Little Pied Cormorant: one sitting on an exposed log
- Masked Lapwing: at least 6 feeding on the grass along the water’s edge
- Little Raven: calling from the nearby golf course
- Galah: several flying overhead
- Australian Magpie: several in trees in caravan park
- Red Wattlebird: feeding in trees near picnic tables
- Magpie Lark: 2 seen feeding along the edge of the water
- Welcome Swallow: about 12 sitting on the power lines in the main street
- Rock Dove: many seen flying near the wheat silos (the tall white structures in the photo above)
- Black-tailed Native-hen: 1 feeding on the grass
The most notable species was a solitary Black-tailed Native-hen. This bantam sized bird moves around very readily, and large numbers will suddenly appear in an area after rain or floods or in response to changing seasonal conditions. They can then disappear just as quickly. To find a solitary bird is unusual.
They are found throughout Australia where conditions suit them, usually near water, either permanent or ephemeral bodies of water. They can breed rapidly in response to good conditions and sometimes number in the hundreds (or even thousands) in a small area.
Despite being very common, and I’ve often seen them in large numbers, I don’t yet have a photo of this species. Click here to see photos and more information about them.
Magpies merrily carolling
Australian Magpie near Geranium, South Australia
Last Friday I was able to do some birding near Geranium in the mallee district east of home here in Murray Bridge, South Australia. I pulled off the main highway on to a side track (see photo below) and found a good spot for lunch. I’d been on this bush track many times before and knew that the birding can be quite good in this quiet spot.
While I was eating lunch I had good views of a male Superb Fairy-wren nearby. Just as I finished lunch I could hear a group of Australian Magpies carolling about 40 metres away. This singing increased in volume to the point where I just had to check it out. I estimate there were about 20 magpies in the one tree, all calling loudly. Their song filled the air all around. I then glanced over into the paddock adjacent to the tree. There were magpies everywhere.
A quick scan of the paddock with my binoculars revealed about another 60 magpies feeding in the grass. I’ve never seen such a large congregation of Australian Magpies anywhere before. There are records in the literature of large loose flocks of over 100 birds, but this was my first encounter with such large numbers. Truly spectacular.
Bush track through mallee scrub near Geranium, South Australia