Our Birds
Of nearly 800 native bird species in Australia, Warrawong is home to over 100. Thousands of trees and shrubs have been planted at Warrawong to provide homes and food for these birds and the feral-proof fence ensures their safety. Hundreds of birds visit our Bird Garden every day, where they know they will find food. The following bird species are commonly found at Warrawong:
Rainbow Lorikeet- These birds are nectar feeders and have a feather shaped tongue designed for easy collection of nectar and pollen, they don’t drink water as they get their moisture from the nectar.
Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo- A very common caged bird in USA and Europe, the cockatoo has been recorded as the oldest bird to live in captivity, with one living to 80yrs of age at the London Zoo.
Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo- This Cockatoo is the largest Australian Cockatoo. The beak is large and powerful and can bite a finger off! Unfortunately, they rely on many native plants for food and are becoming rare due to land clearance. They usually fly in groups.
Galah- Also called “Pink and Grey’s” the female has a pink iris (the coloured part of the eye), and the male a black iris. These birds have increased their range and numbers dramatically since European settlement as they favour eating grain crops.
Adelaide Rosella– This Rosella is not a species on its own but actually a colour variation of the Crimson Rosella. Adelaide Rosella’s are very common in the Adelaide Hills and benefit from people placing nest boxes and bird feeders in trees.
Red Wattlebird- An aggressive and dominating bird, its call also gives it the nickname of the “Wake Up!” bird. It is also one of the largest honeyeaters in the world.
Little Wattlebird- This species of Wattlebird is migratory as opposed to the Red-wattlebird which is sedentary (permanent) or nomadic.
New Holland Honeyeater- The name comes from the early Dutch explorer’s; this was one of the first Honeyeaters described by the European discoverers of Australia.
White-naped Honeyeater- Becoming a rare bird in the Mt. Lofty Ranges but often seen at Warrawong. They have a very small territory, making them threatened by habitat destruction.
Red-browed Fire-tail- These seed-eating birds decorate their nest with flowers woven around the outside.
Superb Blue Fairy Wren – These birds are not monogamous like most birds. Most of the hatchlings from one nest will have different fathers.
Pacific Black Duck- This species of duck is the most common and found all over Australia. It can also cross breed with the introduced Mallard duck.
Wood Duck- These are one of the few ducks to roost and make nests in large gum tree hollows.
Bronzewing Pigeon- The most common of Australia’s native pigeons, their range has extended since European settlement as they favour more open country for feeding.
Crested Pigeon- These pigeons are often wrongly called “Topknots”, which is a species of tropical pigeon from QLD.
Grey fantail- The fantail is of the same family as the Willie Wagtail, the Flycatcher family, mainly feeding on flying insects.
White-backed Magpie- The Australian magpie is divided between the white-backed species in S.A. and the black-backed species in the Eastern States. Magpies are well known for their aggressive swooping behaviour when breeding.
Australian Raven- There are no Australian Crows in Adelaide or the hills. The Australasian Crow territory starts from Port Augusta upward. The Raven is the largest member of the crow family in Australia. Its call is a distinctive ahh-ahh-ahh-aaaahh.
Grey Currawong– The grey Currawong is similar in appearance to the Australian Raven although it has white tips to its tail and flight feathers. The call is also different from the raven, being more of a ringing ‘chling—chling’.
Eurasian Coot- These water birds are related to their northern hemisphere cousins, and are called old world birds.
Dusky Moore Hen- Has a shallow nest often found in the open, so the eggs are vulnerable to frequent predation. Moore Hens have very long toes so they can walk on water plants without sinking.
Australasian Grebe- This common bird can’t walk very well on land because of its feather- shaped feet. They are very well adapted to life in the water, diving for several minutes looking for food.
Little Pied Cormorant- For a water bird the cormorants have little water-proofing of their feathers (it helps them dive deeper). They perch with their wings out allowing them dry. The word cormorant means “sea crow”.
White-faced Heron- The long spear-like beaks are used for fishing. Heron stand still in the water and wait for a fish or frog to swim past and thrust their beak down, spear it, toss it in the air and swallow it long-ways.
Clamorous Reed Warbler- One of Warrawong’s migratory birds, travelling from the northern parts of Australia.
Eastern Spinebill- Their beaks are long and curved so they can access the native flowers with deep cups like Correas, Grevilleas and Eremophilas etc. They are Australia’s version of the Hummingbird!
Rufus Whistler- Looks similar to the Eastern Spinebill but has a short bill and a melodious call. The female is a drab grey/brown colour.
Golden Whistler- A beautiful black and yellow bird often seen at Warrawong, its call is melodious and loud. They feed on grubs under the bark of trees.
Brown Thornbill- These little birds make spherical nests in trees and bushes close to the ground. They also feed on the lerp’s found on Eucalypt trees leaves, helping to maintain the tree’s health. These little birds can live up to 10yrs.
Laughing Kookaburra- the Kookaburra is the largest Kingfisher species found anywhere in the world. These birds are well known for their territorial laughing call, often heard at dawn and dusk.
Welcome Swallow- These birds almost only nest in human structures now, and are often found in barns and verandas.
