Wonga Pigeon, Adelaide Zoo
Wonga Pigeon, Adelaide Zoo
The Wonga Pigeon is found in the eastern coastal regions of Australia, from south eastern Queensland through eastern New South Wales and south eastern Victoria.
It is a bird of the rainforests, drier woodlands and eucalypt forests. It is largely a ground feeding bird.
These photos were taken in a walk through aviary in the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia. I have only ever observed this species on one occasion in its natural environment. That was in Dorrigo National Park in northern New South Wales. Considering that my sighting of this species was recorded over 30 years ago indicates I need to get out birding far more often.
Wonga Pigeon, Adelaide Zoo
Wonga Pigeon, Adelaide Zoo
Wonga Pigeon, Adelaide Zoo
Gouldian Finch, Adelaide Zoo
2 Comments »24th June, 2013; Category: Adelaide Zoo, Aviaries, Bird Behaviour, Finches, Photos, Zoos
Gouldian Finch, Adelaide Zoo
The above photo of a Gouldian Finch in an aviary in the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia is not a good one.
Sure – it shows some of the brilliant colours of this magnificent species, but the bird in question would not turn to face me. I had enough problems focussing on the birds through the black wire netting of the aviary, only to add to my angst when the bird would not pose appropriately for me. Nor would any of the other finches in this cage despite waiting a considerable time for them to settle. They were all very flighty and more concerned about flying around than posing for me.
Sigh.
Next time… I hope.
Gouldian Finch, Adelaide Zoo
Gouldian Finch, Adelaide Zoo
Diamond Dove, Adelaide Zoo
No Comments »22nd June, 2013; Category: Adelaide Zoo, Aviaries, Bush birds, Garden birds, Murray Bridge, Pigeons and Doves, Zoos
Diamond Dove, Adelaide Zoo
The Diamond Dove is a small, almost dainty dove found across large parts of Australia. It is also easy to keep as an aviary bird and so is popular as a pet bird.
Although we have Peaceful Doves visiting our garden here in Murray Bridge occasionally, we have yet to see or hear a Diamond Dove despite having been observed only a few kilometres from our home. One day we might see this lovely bird.
This individual was photographed through the wire netting of one of the aviaries in the Adelaide Zoo here in South Australia.
White-breasted Ground Dove, Adelaide Zoo
No Comments »16th June, 2013; Category: Adelaide Zoo, Aviaries, Non-Australian birds, Pigeons and Doves, Zoos
White-breasted Ground Dove
Today I feature another species I have not yet seen in its natural habitat, the White-breasted Ground Dove. Today’s photos were again taken in the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia. This zoo has an excellent bird collection on display.
As this species is found in Papua New Guinea, a country I have yet to visit, it’s not surprising that I have not seen this bird in the wild. Visiting a zoo is not quite the same, but is a good way of seeing birds I may not otherwise get to see.
As the name suggests the White-breasted Ground Dove is a species that spends a lot of time feeding while on the ground. It eats seeds, berries and insects and can be found in the dense undergrowth of the rainforest. Sounds like it might be a bird hard to find in its natural habitat.
I’m not absolutely certain, but I think that the photo above shows a male, while the one below is of a female which has duller colours than the male.
White-breasted Ground Dove
Brown-throated Conure, Adelaide Zoo
No Comments »14th June, 2013; Category: Adelaide Zoo, Aviaries, Non-Australian birds, Parrots and Lorikeets, Zoos
Brown-throated Conure, Adelaide Zoo
The Brown-throated Conure is found in central and South America. It will often be found in the company of macaws. It feeds on seeds, fruits and flowers but will also raid cultivated crops such as mango and millet. Like many parrots, they congregate in large, noisy communities, especially when feeding and roosting.
I have not seen this species in its natural habitat. These photos were taken earlier this year on a visit to my local zoo in Adelaide, South Australia.
Brown-throated Conure, Adelaide Zoo
Brown-throated Conure, Adelaide Zoo