Buff-banded rail, Adelaide Zoo
Buff-banded Rail, Adelaide Zoo
Buff-banded Rails are sometimes very shy, secretive birds that rarely show themselves, preferring to skulk in the reeds and rushes along watercourses, swamps and wetlands.
On the other hand I have sometimes encountered these rails quite openly enjoying the presence of people. One example was a close encounter I had with one bird in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney.
Buff-banded rails are a widespread species throughout Australia – except for the drier inland areas.
Further reading:
Buff-banded Rail, Adelaide Zoo
Pied Heron, Adelaide Zoo
Pied Heron, Adelaide Zoo
I took this photo of a Pied Heron on a visit to the Adelaide Zoo here in South Australia. The bird was in one of the walk through aviaries in the zoo.
You can see more of my photos of this species, along with more information about it by clicking here.
Figbird, Adelaide Zoo
Figbird (male), Adelaide Zoo
In Australia there are two races of Figbird. Shown in today’s photos is the Green Figbird I photographed in a walk through aviary in the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia. The Green Figbird is found along coastal Queensland and New South Wales. The other race – the Yellow Figbird – is a bird of northern Australia. Where the two races meet there is interbreeding.
The Figbird is found in rainforests, woodlands, orchards, gardens and parks, mangroves and along watercourses. As its name suggests, its main food is fruit.
Below I’ve shown several photos of the female present in the same aviary at the zoo.
Figbird (female), Adelaide Zoo
Figbird (female), Adelaide Zoo
Figbird (male), Adelaide Zoo
Pied Imperial-pigeon, Adelaide Zoo
No Comments »28th June, 2013; Category: Adelaide Zoo, Aviaries, Migratory birds, Pigeons and Doves, Zoos
Pied Imperial-pigeon, Adelaide Zoo
This elegantly beautiful bird is another species I have yet to see in its natural habitat. These photos of Pied Imperial-pigeons were taken earlier this year in a walk through aviary in the Adelaide Zoo, South Australia.
To see this species I would have drive for about five days. Its range is over 3000km (about 35 hours’ travelling time) away from my home in Murray Bridge, South Australia. It’s far quicker to drive for an hour so I can see it in the zoo, but this is far less interesting and rewarding than seeing it naturally.
This pigeon is found in far northern parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, as well as north eastern Queensland, all places I have yet to visit. Their range extends to the islands off the north coast of Australia as well as in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Some populations are migratory.
They are found in rainforests, eucalypt woodlands, coastal scrubs, mangroves and on islands. They are mainly fruit eaters.
You can learn more about them here and see more of my photos of this species here.
Pied Imperial-pigeon, Adelaide Zoo
Pied Imperial-pigeon, Adelaide Zoo
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