White-headed Pigeon, Adelaide Zoo
White-headed Pigeon
One of the walk through aviaries at the Adelaide Zoo has quite a large collection of pigeons, including these White-headed Pigeons. I have visited this aviary on many occasions and usually many of the pigeons are actively scratching around in the dirt on the floor of aviary or feeding from one of the feed trays. Usually, however, some of the birds prefer to just sit on a branch of the many trees growing inside the large cage.
The bird above looks cold, huddled on the branch like that. If my memory is correct it was actually quite a warm day; it certainly was in mid-January, one of our hotter months. Looking carefully at the bird above, however, it appears to be a juvenile. On almost every visit to this aviary I’ve several pigeons, this species included, either making a nest or sitting on eggs. If, as I suspect, it is a recently fledged bird, it would explain why it is all fluffed up like that.
To read more about this species and to see better photos I have taken click here.
White-headed Pigeon
White-headed Pigeon
Eclectus Parrot, Adelaide Zoo
Male Eclectus Parrot, Adelaide Zoo
In today’s post I feature several photos of the male and female Eclectus Parrots. This very colourful species of parrot is found in the northernmost parts of Queensland. It also inhabits eastern Indonesia, the Solomon Islands and Papua-New Guinea to the north of Australia.
These birds were photographed in a walk through aviary in the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia.
Female Eclectus Parrot, Adelaide Zoo
Male Eclectus Parrot, Adelaide Zoo
Sun Conure, Adelaide Zoo
No Comments »3rd August, 2013; Category: Adelaide Zoo, Aviaries, Non-Australian birds, Parrots and Lorikeets, Zoos
Sun Conure, Adelaide Zoo
Sun Conures (also called Sun Parakeet) are native to north-eastern South America. They are spectacular in their bright colours and it is not surprising that they are a popular aviary bird.
The birds shown in today’s photos are a part of the wonderful collection of birds in the Adelaide Zoo in South Australia. The zoo has a very strong collection of Australian birds with a small selection of non-Australian birds as well.
I am quite pleased with the photos shown today, taken as they were through the wire netting of the aviary.
You can read about another species of conure in the zoo, the Brown-throated Conure, by clicking here.
Sun Conure, Adelaide Zoo
Sun Conure, Adelaide Zoo
Sun Conure, Adelaide Zoo
Yellow-collared Lovebird, Adelaide Zoo
No Comments »1st August, 2013; Category: Adelaide Zoo, Aviaries, Non-Australian birds, Parrots and Lorikeets, Zoos
Yellow-collared Lovebird, Adelaide Zoo
The Adelaide Zoo has an excellent collection of Australian and exotic birds in their aviaries and I enjoy the challenge of photographing them, especially where I have to shoot through the wire netting. The photo of a Yellow-collared Lovebird above turned out quite well, despite the netting in the way. It is much easier in the walk-through aviaries of course.
The various species of lovebirds available through pet shops and those that specialise in just birds make them quite popular here in Australia. My opinion of lovebirds is somewhat unfavourable, I must admit. Many years ago our neighbours when we were living in another town had quite a number of lovebirds in a smallish cage right next to our fence. All I can remember is that they were constantly squabbling and screeching.
On a more positive note, I will acknowledge that they are beautiful birds. I can see the attraction of having them as pets, either in a cage or in a bigger aviary.
They are native to Tanzania in southern Africa.
I have written about this species on another occasion (click here).
Rock Dove
Rock Dove at Adelaide Zoo
I don’t normally pay much attention to photographing introduced species, but this Rock Dove strutting around in the grounds of Adelaide Zoo caught my eye. It was almost right under my feet, the camera was ready to shoot and the bird was posing appropriately, so I took the photo.
Rock Doves, also called Feral Pigeons, are common throughout Australian cities and towns. They are especially common here in South Australia around cereal grain handling facilities, even in remote rural areas. The free grain available in such places provides a sustainable source of food. When I travelled overseas I discovered that they are very common in most places.
This individual, one of many, was feeding on food dropped by people visiting the zoo. The outdoor restaurant area was only a few metres behind me when I took the shot.