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Birds
Earth has few secrets from the birds.
There is a wide array of birds found on the river, from Kosie all the way
down to the Coorong and I have listed around 50 of the larger or spectacular species
that I personally saw on the way down. Various bird watching sites checklists list
more than 300 species along many areas of the river.
Parrots Psittaciformes
Cockatoos Cacatuidae
The Cockatoos are definitely one of the most vocal birds on the trip, sometimes congregating
in flocks of 100 or more.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) have adapted well to life one Murray, commonly using the cliffs for nests.
A flock of Little Corellas (Cacatua sanguinea) make for a great yet noisy encounter. Some of the most affectionate birds you will ever see.
Small flocks of Long-billed Corellas (Cacatua tenuirostris) were occasionally seen, usually around towns.
Galahs (Eolophus roseicapilla) are commonly seen around the water's edge.
New World Parrots Psittacidae
The vulnerable Superb Parrots (Polytelis swainsonii) was occasionally seen near the water's edge, often seen alongside Rosellas.
Tame Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis) expecting some feed.
Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus) can be common around the water's edge, both regularly feeding and drinking.
Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans) watching me pass by.
Yellow (Crimson) Rosella (Platycercus elegans flaveolus) were often seen feeding on seeds by the shore.
Ducks, Geese, Swans Anseriformes
Ducks were definitely the most common birds seen along the waterways, especially the Australian Wood Ducks.
All Ducks, Geese, Swans shown belong to the family Anatidae.
A pair of Australian Wood Ducks (Chenonetta jubata).
Pair of Grey Teals (Anas gracilis) and the next generation.
Pair of Australian Shelducks (Tadorna tadornoides). One of the more handsome ducks along the waterways, often in very large flocks.
Black Swans (Cygnus atratus) are usually in pairs or small flocks.
A flock of Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) in the Coorong. A fairly large and heavy-set bird.
Cranes, Rails & Coots Rallidae
All Rails, Crakes & Coots shown belong to the family Rallidae.
Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) in among the lily pads.
Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa) foraging on everything from leaves, seeds, molluscs and invertebrates.
Australasian swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus). The NZ Māori name of Pūkeko seems more fitting for such a colourful bird.
Kingfishers and Bee-eaters Coraciiformes
Kookaburras and Kingfishers Alcedinidae
Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is the largest kingfisher in Australia.
Sacred Kingfishers (Todiramphus sanctus) are commonly seen along open sections of the waterways.
Azure Kingfishers (Ceyx azureus) is more common along closed in sections and anabranches.
Bee-eaters Meropidae
This gorgeous Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) is easily overlooked but is one of the most colourful birds that you are likely to encounter.
Rollers and Dollarbirds Coraciidae
Oriental Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis) is named after the distinctive pale blue or white, coin-shaped spots on its wings.
Vultures, Eagles, Kites and Ospreys Accipitriformes
Kites, Hawks, Eagles Accipitridae
White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) patiently scanning the water for dinner.
Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) about to take to the air.
Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus).
Pigeons, Doves Columbiformes
Contains the singular family Columbidae.
Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera) is known for its haunting deep 'oom' repeating call.
Peaceful Doves (Geopelia placida) are a very small dove species.
Perching birds or Songbirds Passeriformes
This order contains over half of the world's species of birds and these birds are characterised by
three toes pointing forward and one toe pointing back that facilitates perching.
Currawongs & Australian Magpie Artamidae
Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) feed mostly on invertebrates along with small animals and grains / fruits.
Australian Mudnesters Corcoracidae
White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos) are a very social bird.
Flycatchers & Magpielarks Monarchidae
Magpie-larks (Grallina cyanoleuca) are known to sing as a duet, albeit the human ear often can not pick up the notes from individual birds.
Australasian Wrens Maluridae
Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus) searching for insects.
Swallows, Martins Hirundinidae
Welcome swallows (Hirundo neoxena) resting during the heat of the day.
Grebes Podicipediformes
Contains the singular family Podicipedidae.
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) would usually dive into the lake well before you would get close to them.
Boobies, Cormorants, Darters Suliformes
Cormorants, Shags Phalacrocoracidae
Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) made a number of appearances, sometimes in large flocks and commonly seen with occasional Little Pied Cormorants and Australasian Darters.
Australian Pied Cormorants (Phalacrocorax varius)
The Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is one of the largest species of Cormorant.
Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae) is commonly known as the Snake Bird for its long and slender neck that is often seen popping up out of the water.
Stilts, Waders and Gulls Charadriiformes
Gulls, Terns, Skimmers Laridae
Silver Gulls (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) scavenging on the shoreline.
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) searching for its next meal.
Pacific Gull (Larus pacificus) is one of the largest gull species.
Sandpipers Scolopacidae
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) of the family Scolopacidae (Sandpipers, Snipes) is a summer migrant from Arctic Siberia.
Stilts, Avocets Recurvirostridae
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) of the family Recurvirostridae (Stilts, Avocets)foraging by the shore.
Plovers, Dotterels, and Lapwings Charadriidae
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) on a rock.
Herons, Ibises, Spoonbills and Pelicans Pelecaniformes
A large order of water birds that typically have four webbed toes.
Herons, Bitterns Ardeidae
Herons were less common on the river than I expected. The White-faced Heron was the most frequently seen followed by
the Night Heron all along the river, with small flocks of Eastern Great Egrets and White-necked Herons seen sporadically.
Eastern Great Egret (Ardea alba modesta) making use of its long legs.
White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica) watching from up high.
White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) feed on crustaceans, fish, frogs, insects and worms.
