presented by the GREY GOSHAWK Wonderful wildlife … by the Compiled by Bruce Mounster • Pictures...
1
28 www.themercury.com.au THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 www.themercury.com.au 29 OUR Wonderful wildlife presented by the Compiled by Bruce Mounster • Pictures edited by Leigh Winburn • Design by Tim Squires References: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=430 PART 6 BIRDS OF PREY AND PARROTS YELLOW TAILED BLACK COCKATOO A large cockatoo that differs from other cockatoos in that a big part of its diet is wood-boring grubs. The raucous, noisy birds can make long journeys, often flying high in pairs, trios or small groups. They prefer tall eucalypt trees for roosting. When searching for caterpillars the cockatoos peel down a strip of bark to make a perch and leave trees scarred. Picture: JAMES ELSBY SWIFT PARROT A colourful green parrot which is streamlined for rapid flight. The swift parrot is a migratory bird that breeds in Tasmania and winters interstate. It is threatened with extinction due to loss of habitat. Its breeding range is restricted to eastern Tasmania and is dependant on eucalyptus globulus (blue gum). The parrots can be observed in the Hobart area feeding on eucalypt flowers. When they feed in small groups on flowers they chatter quietly, but in large groups they make a lot more noise and chase each other around the trees. In August they build nests mostly in hollow tree branches or the trunks of very old or dead trees. After breeding in February-March they assemble into flocks and the entire population flies north to Victoria and NSW. Picture: RAOUL KOCHANOWSKI GREY GOSHAWK Despite its name, the bird is the only all-white raptor in the world. It is found alone or in pairs in rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest or woodland where it catches birds, small mammals, reptiles and insects. They pursue prey in flight, striking with talons. Breeding is restricted to wet forests. Picture: AKOS GABOR TAWNY FROGMOUTH Often confused with owls, this large nocturnal bird has a big head and wings adapted for silent flight. It feeds on large nocturnal insects such as moths, as well as spiders, worms, slugs and snails. They can also eat small mammals and reptiles. The frogmouth pounces on its prey from a perch. It is found in a variety of habitats including forests, woodlands, parks and gardens. During the day they roost on tree branches camouflaged as part of the tree. The species is common in northern and eastern parts of Tasmania. Picture: MIKE KEATING WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE Tasmania’s coastline with many rivers, bays and islands provides ideal habitats for one of the state’s most spectacular birds which is widely distributed from India to Australia. The eagles typically glide in and snatch fish, eels or penguins from the the water, or beach’s edge without landing. They have acute eyesight but have difficulty taking off from the water. They also feed on blue-tongue lizards and small mammals. The eagles’ hunting ranges are as broad as 150km and for breeding the defend territories as broad as 3km. There are about 200 pairs in Tasmania and the species is considered secure. Picture: EAGLECAM TASMANIAN MASKED OWL Tasmania’s largest nocturnal bird reaches 53cm in length and is listed as endangered in the state due to habitat loss. They are found on their own or in pairs in forests, woodlands, parks and nearby open country, where they feed mostly on rodents, rabbits and small marsupials. They will also take possums, reptiles, birds and insects. Hunting takes place early in the night. The owls set up home in deep tree hollows, lined with soil, sand or soft wood mulch. They were once widespread and common in Tasmania but are now hard to spot in the wild. Picture: BILL CHESTNUT/INVERAWE WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE In Tasmania these eagles have been isolated from their interstate counterparts for as long as 10,000 years and have developed into a separate subspecies, of about 130 pairs, which is listed as endangered. They are found in a wide variety of habitats including open plains, forests and mountains where they hunt for small mammals such as wallabies and rabbits, or feed on carrion. The eagles nest in parts of very large euca- lypt trees that are sheltered from the wind. They are shy nesters and will often desert nests if disturbed. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK PEREGRINE FALCON A large bird of prey that lives along inland cliffs and gorges, as well as coastal cliffs and islands or in open woodlands or some- times the ledges of high city buildings. They can fly at speeds of up to 300km/h to catch other birds on the wing, making them the fastest animals on earth. The falcons also feed on rabbits, swooping down from above with half closed wings. They are the world’s most widespread bird of prey extending from the Arctic tundra to the tropics, but not common anywhere. In Tasmania they can be found where there are suitable cliffs for nesting including Launceston’s Cataract Gorge and Hobart’s Tasman Bridge where they chase starlings. Picture: MIKE KEATING ORANGE-BELLIED PARROT Ranked as one of the world’s rarest and most endangered species with fewer than 200 individuals the orange-bellied parrot can be found at Melaleuca in the South West National Park. The green, yellow and blue parrots are distinguished by a bright orange patch on the lower belly. They are migratory, breeding only in coastal south west Tasmania and spending the winter in coastal Victoria and South Australia. In Tasmania they live in buttongrass moorland with patches of forest or tea tree scrub and feed on the seeds of several sedges, heath plants, including buttongrass, and boronia. During their migratory journey through the Hunter Group and King Island they feed on beachfront vegetation includ- ing salt tolerant species such as sea rocket. The parrots nest in eucalypt tree hollows next to their feeding plains. Picture: LEIGH WINBURN ROT hich is streamlined for rapid flight. gratory bird that breeds in Tasmania tinction due to loss of habitat. icted to eastern T asmania and is globulus (blue gum). erved in the Hobart area feeding on ey feed in small groups on flowers n large groups they make a lot more er around the trees. sts mostly in hollow tree branches or ead trees. ary-March they assemble into flocks flies north to Victoria and NSW. Picture: RAOUL KOCHANOWSKI rk. E E ED D D D D D D t t t t t tat at at at at te e e e e e 00 00 00 00 00 0 0 0 000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 a a a a a 1 1 1 1 1 130 30 30 30 30 0 30 30 30 3 g g g g g g g g g ger e er er er e er er er er red ed ed ed e ed e ed e . . . ie ie ie e e e ie ie ie ie ie ie e i t ty ty ty ty ty t t ty t t ty ty o o o o o o o of f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f , , , , fo fo fo fo fo fo f re re re e re r r st st st t t t st st t t ts s s s s s s s s s t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t fo f f fo fo o fo fo or r r r r r r r r r sm sm sm sm sm m sm sm sm m s sm sm s sm mal al a al a a al al al a al a al a al a a a al l a l l l l l l l l l l n n n n n n nd d d d d d d d d d d d d d ra ra ra ra ra ra a ra ra ra ra r r b b b bb b b bb bb bb bb b bb bb bb bb bb bb b b bb b b bb b b bbit it it it it i it it it it i it i it i s s, s, s, s, s s s, s, s o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o or r r r r r r r r ve ve ve ve ve ve ve e ve e ve ve e e e ve e e ve e ve ve very ry ry ry ry ry y y y y ry ry ry y y y y ry ry y y ry y y ry ry r ry y y y ry r ry y y r r ry ry y r ry y y y y l l l l l l l l l l lar ar ar ar ar ar ar r ar ar ar ar r r r ar r ar arge ge ge ge g ge ge ge ge ge ge ge ge ge g ge ge ge e ge e e e e e e e e euc uc uc c uc c ca- a- a- a- a- a- a om om o om om om om om om m t t t t t t t t the he he h h h h h w w w w w w w win in in in i in nd. d. d d. d. d. d. d d d d d d. d d d d d d. T T T T T The he he e e ey y y y y d d d d d d d de e es es es es e e e er r r er e e e t t t t t t ne ne ne ne e ne e est st st st st s st st t ts s s s s if if if i E E E E E E E E E ED D DD DD DD DD DD DIE IE IE E S S S S S S S S S S S S S SA A A AF A AF AF AF AF F F A A A AR AR AR AR AR A A A ARIK IK SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOO A commonly domesticated bird, the cockatoo’s wild habitat is typically timbered and rural areas. In Tasmania it is common, widespread but not found in large numbers, with a patchy distribu- tion through southern and western forests, extending into the state’s wilderness areas. They feed on berries, seeds, nuts, roots, green leaves, bark, stems and insect larvae. When not eating they habitually bite off leaves and small branches from trees – possibly to keep their bills trimmed. Picture: LEIGH WINBURN E E E E E E ED D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D y y r r r riv iv iv iver er er er er r ers, s s s s, s s, s s, s, s, s s, s, ha ha h ha h bi bi bi i bi bi bi i i ita t ta ta ta a a ta ta t ta ta ta a ta a ta a a a ta ats t ts ts ts ts ts ts s ts ts t ts t f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f for or or or or or o or or o or or r or r o or r o or u u u ula la la la la a ar r r r r r bi bi bi bi bi bi bi bi bi bi bi i b rd rd rd rd rd rd rd rd rd rd rd d d d d d rd ds s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s m m m m m I I I Ind nd nd n nd ndia ia ia t t t t to o o o o o o o an an an an an an an nd d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d sn sn n sn n n sn sn s s a at at at at at t at a a atc ch ch ch ch ch h h h ch h ch ch h h h ch ch th th h h h the e e e e e e wa wa wa wa wa wa a a wa w te te te te te te e ter, r, r, r r, r, , r, , g g. T T The he he e h y y y ha ha ha ha a ha ha a ha a ha a a ave ve ve ve v v v v ty ty t tak ak k k kin in in n in n n n n i in in in in in ng g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g g u u ue e e e e li li l li li i li l za za za za za za z z rd rd rd rd ds s s s s re e re a a a as s s s s s b b b br b br b broa o o o d d d defe fend nd nd nd nd d d T T T a as asm ma ma ani ni ni nia a a a a a a a ecu cu ure re re e e. . . . LE LE ECA CA AM M M Th They ey ey w wer ere e o onc c ce ce e e w w w wi ides e espr p pr r r r r pre e ea e e ea ea e d d an an n and d d d co co c co o o co o o o om m m mm mm mm m on n in in in i T T T as asma ma mani ni ni n a a a bu bu bu bu u u bu bu but t t t t t t ar ar ar ar ar ar r a a a e e e e e e e e e no no o no n n n w w w w ha ha ha a h ha hard rd rd d d t t t t to o o o o o o sp sp sp sp sp sp s s s o ot ot ot t t t t t t i i i in n n n th th th the e e e e wi wi wild d ld l . . Pi Pi Pict ct ct t ct c ur ur ur u e: e: e: B B B B B B B BI IL IL IL L L I IL L L L IL L LL L L L L L L CH C CH CH CH H H H CH CHES E ES ES S S ES S S ES E TN TN TN TN T T T TNUT UT UT U /I /I /I I INV NV NV NV NV NV V V V V NVE E ER ER E E AW AW AW WE E E E BLUE-WINGED PARROT Similar in appearance to, but much more common than the orange-bellied parrot, the blue-winged parrot is found in northern, central and eastern Tasmania and are often seen at Narawntapu National Park. They can live in grassy woodland, heathland and grassy paddocks. They are also migratory leaving Tasmania in March-April and returning in August to October. Picture: JJ HARRISON n n GALAH One of Australia’s most common and widespread cockatoos, it is uncertain if Galahs are native to Tasmania, but they are now common in the state’s eastern half. Galahs form life long bonds with their breeding partners and nest in tree cavities. They have benefited from landscape changes brought about by European settlement. They feed on grasses, herbs, seeds, nuts, berries, roots, green shoots and leaf buds, sometimes eating insect larvae. The birds are intelligent and highly social animals. They stick together in flocks and show affection to their mates by preening each others facial feathers.
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Transcript of presented by the GREY GOSHAWK Wonderful wildlife … by the Compiled by Bruce Mounster • Pictures...
28 www.themercury.com.au THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 www.themercury.com.au 29
OURWonderful wildlifepresented by the Compiled by Bruce Mounster • Pictures edited by Leigh Winburn • Design by Tim Squires
References: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=430
PART 6
BIRDS OF
PREY AND
PARROTS
YELLOW TAILEDBLACK COCKATOOA large cockatoo that differs from other cockatoos in that a big part of its diet is wood-boring grubs.
The raucous, noisy birds can make long journeys, often fl ying high in pairs, trios or small groups. They prefer tall eucalypt trees for roosting.
When searching for caterpillars the cockatoos peel down a strip of bark to make a perch and leave trees scarred.
Picture: JAMES ELSBY
SWIFT PARROTA colourful green parrot which is streamlined for rapid fl ight.
The swift parrot is a migratory bird that breeds in Tasmania and winters interstate.
It is threatened with extinction due to loss of habitat. Its breeding range is restricted to eastern Tasmania and is dependant on eucalyptus globulus (blue gum).
The parrots can be observed in the Hobart area feeding on eucalypt fl owers. When they feed in small groups on fl owers they chatter quietly, but in large groups they make a lot more noise and chase each other around the trees.
In August they build nests mostly in hollow tree branches or the trunks of very old or dead trees.
After breeding in February-March they assemble into fl ocks and the entire population fl ies north to Victoria and NSW.
Picture: RAOUL KOCHANOWSKI
GREY GOSHAWKDespite its name, the bird is the only all-white raptor in the world.
It is found alone or in pairs in rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest or woodland where it catches birds, small mammals, reptiles and insects. They pursue prey in fl ight, striking with talons. Breeding is restricted to wet forests.
Picture: AKOS GABOR
TAWNY FROGMOUTHOften confused with owls, this large nocturnal bird has a big head and wings adapted for silent fl ight.
It feeds on large nocturnal insects such as moths, as well as spiders, worms, slugs and snails. They can also eat small mammals and reptiles.
The frogmouth pounces on its prey from a perch.It is found in a variety of habitats including forests, woodlands, parks and
gardens. During the day they roost on tree branches camoufl aged as part of the tree.
The species is common in northern and eastern parts of Tasmania. Picture: MIKE KEATING
WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLETasmania’s coastline with many rivers, bays and islands provides ideal habitats for one of the state’s most spectacular birds which is widely distributed from India to Australia.
The eagles typically glide in and snatch fi sh, eels or penguins from the the water, or beach’s edge without landing. They have acute eyesight but have diffi culty taking off from the water.
They also feed on blue-tongue lizards and small mammals.
The eagles’ hunting ranges are as broad as 150km and for breeding the defend territories as broad as 3km.
There are about 200 pairs in Tasmania and the species is considered secure. Picture: EAGLECAM
TASMANIAN MASKED OWLTasmania’s largest nocturnal bird reaches 53cm in length and is listed as endangered in the state due to habitat loss.
They are found on their own or in pairs in forests, woodlands, parks and nearby open country, where they feed mostly on rodents, rabbits and small marsupials. They will also take possums, reptiles, birds and insects.
Hunting takes place early in the night.The owls set up home in deep tree
hollows, lined with soil, sand or soft wood mulch.
They were once widespread and common in Tasmania but are now hard to spot in the wild. Picture: BILL CHESTNUT/INVERAWE
WEDGE-TAILED EAGLEIn Tasmania these eagles have been isolated from their interstate counterparts for as long as 10,000 years and have developed into a separate subspecies, of about 130 pairs, which is listed as endangered.
They are found in a wide variety of habitats including open plains, forests and mountains where they hunt for small mammals such as wallabies and rabbits, or feed on carrion.
The eagles nest in parts of very large euca-lypt trees that are sheltered from the wind. They are shy nesters and will often desert nests if disturbed. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK
PEREGRINE FALCONA large bird of prey that lives along inland cliffs and gorges, as well as coastal cliffs and islands or in open woodlands or some-times the ledges of high city buildings.
They can fl y at speeds of up to 300km/h to catch other birds on the wing, making them the fastest animals on earth.
The falcons also feed on rabbits, swooping down from above with half closed wings.
They are the world’s most widespread bird of prey extending from the Arctic tundra to the tropics, but not common anywhere. In Tasmania they can be found where there are suitable cliffs for nesting including Launceston’s Cataract Gorge and Hobart’s Tasman Bridge where they chase starlings. Picture: MIKE KEATING
ORANGE-BELLIED PARROTRanked as one of the world’s rarest and most endangered species with fewer than 200 individuals the orange-bellied parrot can be found at Melaleuca in the South West National Park.
The green, yellow and blue parrots are distinguished by a bright orange patch on the lower belly.
They are migratory, breeding only in coastal south west Tasmania and spending the winter in coastal Victoria and South Australia.
In Tasmania they live in buttongrass moorland with patches of forest or tea tree scrub and feed on the seeds of several sedges, heath plants, including buttongrass, and boronia.
During their migratory journey through the Hunter Group and King Island they feed on beachfront vegetation includ-
ing salt tolerant species such as sea rocket.The parrots nest in eucalypt tree hollows next to
their feeding plains. Picture: LEIGH WINBURN
ROThich is streamlined for rapid fl ight.gratory bird that breeds in Tasmania
tinction due to loss of habitat. icted to eastern Tasmania and is globulus (blue gum).erved in the Hobart area feeding oney feed in small groups on fl owers n large groups they make a lot more er around the trees.sts mostly in hollow tree branches or ead trees.ary-March they assemble into fl ocks fl ies north to Victoria and NSW. Picture: RAOUL KOCHANOWSKI
rk.
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SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOOA commonly domesticated bird, the cockatoo’s wild habitat is typically timbered and rural areas.
In Tasmania it is common, widespread but not found in large numbers, with a patchy distribu-tion through southern and western forests,
extending into the state’s wilderness areas.They feed on berries, seeds, nuts, roots, green
leaves, bark, stems and insect larvae.When not eating they habitually bite off leaves
and small branches from trees – possibly to keep their bills trimmed.
Picture: LEIGH WINBURN
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BLUE-WINGED PARROTSimilar in appearance to, but much more common than the orange-bellied parrot, the blue-winged parrot is found in northern, central and eastern Tasmania and are often seen at Narawntapu National Park.
They can live in grassy woodland, heathland and grassy paddocks.
They are also migratory leaving Tasmania in March-April and returning in August to October.
Picture: JJ HARRISON
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GALAHOne of Australia’s most common and widespread cockatoos, it is uncertain if Galahs are native to Tasmania, but they are now common in the state’s eastern half.
Galahs form life long bonds with their breeding partners and nest in tree cavities.
They have benefi ted from landscape changes brought about by European settlement.
They feed on grasses, herbs, seeds, nuts, berries, roots, green shoots and leaf buds, sometimes eating insect larvae.
The birds are intelligent and highly social animals. They stick together in fl ocks and show affection to their mates by preening each others facial feathers.
