Monday, June 15, 2009

Mallee Birds

In my last post I mentioned some of the other birds I heard and saw while photographing the Mallee Emu-wren at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park. The habitat there is Mallee which is characterised by smallish multi-trunked eucalypts usually growing to less than 6m (20ft) with an understory of scrub and/or spinifex. This habitat is prone to bush fires, and indeed many plant species require a bush fire to promote regeneration. I have birded fairly regularly in mallee in both Victoria and South Australia. My favourite areas are Brookfield Conservation Park and the Birds Australia Reserve at Gluepot both in the Riverland in South Australia. And so to the birds: Firstly a male and female Chestnut Quail-thrush.
Southern Scrub-robin and Striped Honeyeater
Mallee Ringneck and a female Mulga Parrot
And finally, a couple of real special birds. Malleefowl and the endangered Red-lored Whistler
One of these photos is a "cheat", taken in captivity at Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills........any idea which?
at

5 comments:

  1. WilmaJune 16, 2009 at 3:01 AM

    My guess is that you took the Mallee-fowl photo at the wildlife park. I base this on the green grass in the photo because most of the others look drier. Cheat or not, they are all terrific photos!

    ReplyDelete
  2. FABJune 16, 2009 at 5:47 AM

    Thanks Tony for showing me more new birds from down under. Lovely patterns on the Chestnut
    Quail Thrush. Is it as secretive as a Quail?

    ReplyDelete
  3. TonyCJune 16, 2009 at 11:07 AM

    Hi Wilma

    ten out of ten!! Well done!!

    Hi Early Birder

    No, they are pretty easy to see, especially after a good wet period when they are ready to breed. They do run around on the ground as a quail would, but the grass (if there is any!!) is much shorter.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JennyJune 17, 2009 at 6:09 AM

    Lovely photos Tony! My favs are the Quail Thrushes. Would love to see them one day.

    ReplyDelete
  5. TonyCJune 17, 2009 at 7:35 AM

    Thanks Jen.......I'd love to show them to you too!!

    ReplyDelete