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.
Ostriches in South Australia
Ostriches, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
If I want to see some Ostriches here in South Australia I only have to drive for about ten minutes. Ostriches are not native Australian birds, of course, because they have been introduced into Australia from Africa.
The Ostriches I can see are actually in the open range Monarto Zoo near Adelaide, South Australia. The zoo features many animals from Africa, including a small flock of Ostriches.
The Ostrich is actually on the official list of Australian birds. In the nineteenth century they were brought to Australia and farmed in a number of localities. They were primarily bred for their feathers, the plumes being much in demand for decorating ladies’ hats. The fashion didn’t last and many Ostriches were released or escaped into the wild, forming small breeding colonies. I know of two such areas: the Coorong south of here and north of Port Augusta. I believe there is still a very small remnant population near Port Augusta but I never managed to see any despite living there for many years.
Baby Emus come to drink
Male Emu with babies, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
I meant to publish this post and the photos several months ago, but I was distracted when writing my novel.
When my son, daughter-in-law and new grandson came over from Sydney for a visit last August we all visited the Monarto Zoo just a few kilometres from our home in Murray Bridge (near Adelaide).
As we were going on one of the walking trails through the zoo we saw this male Emu with his young striped chicks. They had come into one of the watering points near the Visitor Centre. Emus are unusual in the bird kingdom: the female lays the eggs and then the male sits on them and looks after the hatchlings for up to two years. I think that female Emus certainly have it all worked out where family raising is concerned.
Male Emu with babies, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Black Kite, Monarto Zoo
Black Kite, Monarto Zoo
Black Kites are very common birds of prey throughout their range which includes Africa, Eurasia and most of Australia (except Tasmania). I have seen them in many places here in Australia and this species is also on my Thailand and Nepal lists. It is a bird that is hard to miss.
Strangely enough, even though they are regular visitors to our home block – or should I say, birds that regularly fly over our block – I had not managed to get a good photo of one. They are usually too high up for a good shot as they soar overhead.
On a recent visit to our local open range zoo, Monarto Zoo, a solitary Black Kite came down close overhead and soared around several times checking us out. It was a good opportunity to get a reasonable photo.
Black Kite, Monarto Zoo
Related articles:
- Eagles, Hawks and Kites – articles from my archives about birds of prey.
- A visit to Monarto Zoo
- Birds of Monarto Zoological Park, Murray Bridge
Brown Falcon at Monarto Zoo
7 Comments »28th October, 2009; Category: Eagles Hawks and Kites, Murray Bridge, Photos, Raptors, Zoos
Brown Falcon, Monarto Zoo
A few weeks ago we went with our family to visit Monarto Zoo near our home town of Murray Bridge. This open range zoo is a part of the Adelaide Zoological Gardens and being only a few kilometres down the road from our home we like to visit often. Being a Life Member I like to visit often.
One of the features of the zoo is the large tract of untouched mallee scrub where visitors can walk on the numerous walking trails leading from one enclosure to another. The regular shuttle buses moving around the zoo make this a very attractive part of the visit. All tracks are easily negotiated, even by wheelchair.
Walking through the mallee scrub is a good way to observe many of the local bird species abundant in the area. On this visit I had great views of this Brown Falcon. Normally a reasonable shy bird, this individual decided to pose nicely for a few photos.
Brown Falcon, Monarto Zoo
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