Birds of the Goulburn River
Waterbirds
Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata):
This species is a medium-sized ‘goose-like’ duck with a dark brown head and a pale grey body. They can be observed in pairs or small flocks, often grazing on grasslands close to water bodies. Unlike many waterfowl, Australian Wood Ducks are known to perch on trees and utilize tree hollows for nesting.
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa):
A versatile and adaptable duck, the Pacific Black Duck features a dark body with a distinctive green speculum (the plumage at the base of the wing) bordered by black. Its head is marked with two black stripes running from the bill to the back of the neck, a feature easily seen when the bird is at rest or in flight. These ducks are skilled at foraging in both freshwater and estuarine environments.
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra):
The Eurasian Coot, with its entirely black body and striking white bill and forehead shield, is often found in open waters of lakes, rivers, and wetlands. They are adept swimmers and divers, feeding on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates. During breeding season, their loud and explosive calls become a common sound.
Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio):
The Purple Swamphen is a striking bird known for its deep blue and purple plumage, red bill, and forehead shield. These large waterbirds are commonly found along the banks of the Goulburn River, where they navigate the reeds and water edges with their long toes. Swamphens are often seen in small groups, feeding on a wide variety of plant material, insects, and small aquatic animals. They are known for their loud calls and aggressive behavior when defending their territory. Despite their bulky appearance, Purple Swamphens are surprisingly good flyers and can be seen taking to the air with their legs dangling beneath them. Their presence adds a splash of color and vibrancy to the wetland ecosystems along the river, playing a crucial role in the health and diversity of these habitats.
Darter (Anhinga melanogaster):
Also known as the Australian Darter, it resembles a cormorant but can be distinguished by its long, thin neck and sharp, pointed bill. Darters are often seen swimming with only their neck above water, giving them their ‘snakebird’ nickname. They feed on fish, which they spear underwater with rapid thrusts of their bill.
Raptors
Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax):
This magnificent bird of prey is known for its enormous wingspan, which can exceed 2.5 meters, making it one of the largest eagles in the world. Its wedge-shaped tail is unique among eagles. These eagles are apex predators, feeding on rabbits, foxes, and even large mammals like kangaroos, in addition to carrion.
Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus):
Medium-sized raptors with a distinctive pale head and underparts contrasted by darker wings and tail. The whistling kite is named for its lilting, whistling call. They are versatile feeders, preying on small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and carrion, and are often seen gliding or hovering over waterways and fields.
Kingfishers and Related Species
Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus):
A small and strikingly colored kingfisher with deep azure blue back and a bright orange underpart. The Azure Kingfisher is typically found along rivers, creeks, and in estuaries, diving into the water from overhanging branches to catch fish and aquatic invertebrates. Its rapid flight along waterways is a dazzling sight.
Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae):
The largest member of the kingfisher family, the laughing kookaburra is famous for its loud, echoing laugh-like call. They have a sturdy body, a large head with a prominent dark eye-stripe, and a robust beak perfect for hunting snakes, lizards, insects, and small mammals.
Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus):
Vibrant and eye-catching, the Sacred Kingfisher boasts bright blue and turquoise plumage with a white underpart. While fish constitutes a part of their diet, they also hunt crustaceans, insects, and small vertebrates. They are often seen perched quietly on branches over water before plunging in for prey.
Parrots
- Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans): Brightly colored, these birds are a spectacular sight against the greenery along the river.
Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla):
The Galah or pink and grey cockatoo is easily identifiable by its pink face and chest with a light grey back, wings, and tail. Galahs are highly social and vocal birds, often found in large flocks in various habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and urban areas. They feed on seeds, nuts, berries, and plants.
Other Birds
Australian Magpie (Cracticus tibicen):
This bird is celebrated for its striking black and white plumage and a wide variety of songs and calls, including mimicry. They’re highly adaptable, found in urban to rural areas across Australia, often seen foraging on the ground for insects and worms. Australian Magpies are known for their complex social structures and, during breeding season, their protective behavior towards their nesting sites.
Bell Miner (Manorina melanophrys):
Known for their persistent ‘tinkling’ calls reminiscent of bells, Bell Miners are medium-sized honeyeaters with olive-green plumage. They live in large, cooperative colonies, defending their territory aggressively against other birds to protect their food sources, mainly the lerp-producing psyllids on eucalypts. This behavior can influence the makeup of local forests.
Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus spp.):
The various species of Black Cockatoos, including the Red-tailed and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, are distinguished by their somber black feathers and vibrant tail and cheek patches. They are often seen in small flocks, feeding on native seeds, nuts, and in some cases, wood-boring grubs. Their powerful bills are perfectly adapted for cracking open tough seed pods, contributing to their role in forest regeneration.
Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis):
Sporting a bright yellow chest and a grey back, these small robins are a delightful sight. They have a distinctive hunting method, perching quietly on a low branch or tree trunk before pouncing on insects and spiders on the ground. Their friendly nature and curiosity about humans make them a favorite among birdwatchers.
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus):
The Rainbow Bee-eater is a dazzling bird with a green, blue, chestnut, and yellow plumage and a long, pointed tail. They are aerial acrobats, catching bees, wasps, and other flying insects in mid-air. Before eating their prey, they remove the stinger by rubbing the insect against a hard surface. They are migratory birds, breeding in sandy burrows which they excavate in riverbanks or flat ground.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita):
With their unmistakable sulphur-yellow crest and all-white body, these large cockatoos are not only visually striking but also known for their loud, raucous calls and antics. They have a long lifespan, often living over 70 years in captivity, and exhibit highly intelligent behavior, including the ability to mimic human speech. They form large, noisy flocks and can be found in a variety of habitats from bushland to urban areas.
Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus):
The male Superb Fairy-wren sports iridescent blue and black plumage during the breeding season, contrasting sharply with the more subdued brown and grey of females and non-breeding males. These small, energetic birds are found in groups, flitting through underbrush and grasslands, often with a tail cocked upward. They have a complex mating system known as cooperative breeding, where offspring from previous broods help raise the latest young.
Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys):
This charismatic bird is easily recognized by its continuous tail wagging and the contrast of its black throat and white belly. Willie Wagtails are fearless and territorial, often seen chasing much larger birds away from their nest. They adapt well to human-altered environments, feeding on insects disturbed by grazing animals or machinery. Their cheerful song and presence make them a beloved feature of the Australian landscape.
This alphabetized list encompasses a range of bird species that add to the rich tapestry of avian life along the Goulburn River, offering bird watchers and nature enthusiasts a diverse and vibrant birdwatching experience.
This is just a snapshot of the bird diversity along the Goulburn River. Each species adds to the unique tapestry of sounds, sights, and experiences that make this area a fantastic place for bird watching and nature tours.