Wildlife
Feathered geniuses: birds are much smarter than we think
As scientists discover just how incredibly smart some birds are, it may be time to start using the term bird brain as a compliment rather than an insult.
Tag: birds of australia
Wildlife
Deadly stare: Australia’s iconic tawny frogmouths
Australia’s tawny frogmouths are unique in every possible way. They shape-shift, they joint parent and they have an eerie stare that can either be frightening or epitomise how you might feel on a Monday morning.
Wildlife
GALLERY: the richly-coloured finches of Queensland
Queensland has the highest bird populations of any state, the most spectacular residing in the far north expanses of the Wet Tropics and Cape York. The state is also a haven for a diverse and richly coloured group of finches substantial enough that it’s home to the largest specialist bird club in Australia, the Queensland Finch Society, who are dedicated to rehabilitating the states iconic species. According to Gary Fitt, the current president of the society, “there are only three finch species in Australia that don’t occur in QLD, meaning 15 of the 18 species are in QLD.
Wildlife
The Aussie Backyard Bird Count starts today
This 23-29 October is National Bird Week, and you’re invited to head into your backyards to record local birdlife in the name of citizen science.
News
Scientists call on public to help save swift parrot
The aim of the crowdfunding campaign, ‘Operation PKO’ is to build a hundred nesting boxes fitted with a mechanical door that will keep out the birds main predator, the sugar glider.
Wildlife
GALLERY: the purple-crowned fairy-wren
Unlike his relatives who travel long and far to show off their colourful plumage, the purple-crowned fairy-wren chooses just one lucky lady. See his gorgeous violet-hued plummage in our gallery. Read more about purple-crowned fairy-wrens HERE.
News
Evidence of the elusive night parrot recorded in WA
Evidence of the critically endangered night parrot— rarely even glimpsed by humans due to their nocturnal nature and small numbers— has been recorded by Paruku rangers in Western Australia.
Wildlife
Urban birdwatching guide to Perth
From the ephemeral lakes to the woodlands and eastern hills, Perth abounds with birds – some 190 species in total.
News
New study reveals evolutionary history of Australia’s gigantic ancient bird
A flightless, plant-eating bird, mihirungs weighed 250kg and lived in the late Oligocene to the early Miocene, about 33 to 20 million years ago.
Wildlife
GALLERY: flocks of budgies in Alice Springs
During the hot, dry summer months, Alice Springs is often beset by a beautiful plague – flocks of thousands of green budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in search of increasingly scarce sources of water. Photographer Steven Pearce says that there was around 4000 birds congregating around the waterhole just after dawn.