bird field guide - climatewatch€¦ · bird field guide eastern spinebill acanthorynchus...
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© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Australian MagpieCracticus tibicen
When to look:Throughout the year
Its eyes are red-brown
Images courtesy of ClimateWatch users Luca Mav and Nicola Storey 2016
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The back of its neck, upper tail and shoulders are white in males and grey in females
Similar species:
Pied Butcherbird: has a completely black head and bib that is separated from its black back by a completely white collar. Its underparts are white
Magpie-lark: is smaller with a smaller beak
Currawong: doesn’t have large areas of white on its body, especially on the back of the neck. Also won’t have the red iris
The rest of its body is black
Square-tipped tail
One toe faces backwards and three face forwards
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Australian Pied OystercatcherHaematopus longirostris
Where to look:Mudflats, sandbanks and sandy ocean beaches
Distinctive orange-red legs, beak and eyes
Images courtesy of Flickr user Michale Dawes, Sept 2007
Similar species:
Sooty oystercatcher: very similar to the pied oystercatcher, and can often co-exist on the same beach. The sooty oystercatcher lacks the white feathers and although their beaks and legs are dark red their bodies are completely black
Black head and upper body with white underneath
Medium shorebird with long skinny legs and a long beak
Size: 50cm
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Common BlackbirdTurdus merula
When to look:
August to end of February, breeding season is September to January
Male:Black all over
Images courtesy of Matteo Di Nicola (male) and Arto Hakola (female)
Grey-brown with some streaks or mottling
Similar species:
Common Starlings are 4 to 5cm smaller and shinier black in summer, with whitish feather tips and a black bill in winter. Males doesn’t have the orange to yellow ring around its eye.
Another black bird won’t have the distinctive orange to yellow eye ring.
Deep orange to yellow beak and narrow ring around its eye
Female: Dull yellow-brown beak and orange to yellow ring around its eye
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Eastern SpinebillAcanthorynchus tenuirostris
When to look:Aug-Jan (breeding), Mar-Oct (migratory in lowland areas)
Very long, fine beak that curves downward
Image courtesy of David Cook Wildlife Photography
Grey-black on top of head, extending either side of breast.
Rufous patch in centre of throat. White breast and throat.
Dark metallic grey wings and lower back.
Buff-coloured upper back and underneath.
Female is duller in colour.
Voice: long, tinkling, staccato piping
Similar species:
Cresent, Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters are slightly larger and adults lack rufous patch in centre of throat.
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Fan-tailed CuckooCacomantis flabelliformis
When to look:Breeds July-Jan; inland autumn migration
Images by Andrew Haysom
Slate-grey above, throat and upperbreast pale to cinnamon-buff
Similar species:
Brush Cuckoo: plainer; eye-ring and feet grey. Juvenile’s upperpart patterns more variegated than juvenile Fan-tailed Cuckoo. Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo darker; difference range and calls.
Tail slim, infrequently fanned, feathers wavily notched white on both edges
Yellow eye-ring
Voice: sad, leisurely, downward trill
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Golden WhistlerPachycephala pectoralis
When to look:Migrates to lowlands in winter; breeds Aug to Feb
White throat
Images courtesy of David Cook Wildlife Photography
Olive-green back and wings
Similar species:
Mangrove Golden Whistler (Pachycephala melanura): the male has brighter underparts than the Golden Whistler, has a broader collar, and a slightly shorter tail. The female has yellowish underparts. It also has a longer beak and is only found in the mangroves of coastal northern Australia.
Adult male: Bright yellow underody
Adult female: Grey upperparts with pale olive tinge
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Grey FantailRhipidura albiscapa
When to look:Some migrate north during winter; nests Jul to Jan
Fine white shafts to all but central pair of tail feathers
Images courtesy of Colin Mulvogue
White eyebrow and throat
Similar species:
Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys): slightly larger, lacks the shades of grey on body and wings; lacks a white patch on throat and white edging and tips to tail feathers.
Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris): is larger with a larger, broader bill. It seldom fans its tail (which is not tilted upwards) and is generally much less restless. Its breast band is overlain with pale streaks.
wings often drooped
Grey breast band
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Masked LapwingVanellus miles
When to look:Throughout the year; breeding is opportunistic
Yellow bill and wattle from forehead to behind its eye hangs beside chin
Image: Earthwatch
Similar species:
Banded Lapwing (Vanellus tricolor): is smaller (25 - 29 cm long) with much more black on the head and lower breast, with a distinct white eye-stripe and white throat and upper breast, forming a white ‘bib’. There is also a distinctive red patch at the base of its bill.
Brown and black wings
White neck and underparts
Black on top of head
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Superb Fairy-wrenMalurus cyaneus
When to look:
Breeds June to February
Male: rich blue and black plumage above and on the throat. Belly is grey-white
and beak is black.
Images: Nadiah Roslan (male) and BirdLife (eclipsed)
Similar species:
Other predominantly blue male fairy-wrens have either chestnut shoulder patch or blue underparts
Male (eclipse): mostly brown above with dull red-orange area
around eye and brown beak
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Swift ParrotLathamus discolor
When to look:
Sept to Jan is breeding season, nesting season is Sept to Nov, migratory birds are in southeastern Australia from Feb to Mar and Sept to Oct
Blue colouring on crown, wings, and cheek
Image courtesy of Christ Tzaros
Its long pointed tail is red and purple
Similar species:
Musk Lorikeet has a green patch under its wings instead of the red of the Swift Parrot.
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet has scaly, yellow markings over its underbody while Swift Parrots have uniform yellow-green breast and belly.
The Swift Parrots’ distinctive flight call, streamlined body, and long pointed tail enable it to be readily identified.
Females have duller coloration with a creamy bar under wing
Red patches around bill, throat, and wing
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Welcome SwallowHirundo neoxena
When to look:August to March
Its forehead, throat, and upper breast are rust in colour
Images courtesy of Alan Collins
Eyes and bill are black
Similar species:
Barn Swallows have a dark blue to black breast-band across its throat, separating its red chin from white chest/underparts.
Other swallows lack the rust-coloured forehead and throat. The White-backed Swallow has a pale-grey head, and the Red-rumped Swallow has a red rump and streaked, chestnut underparts.
Swifts are larger with longer and more-curved wings.
Fairy or Tree Martin have shorter, squarer tails and white coloured rump.
A distinctive deeply forked tail
Light to dark grey on its breast and belly, grey legs and feet
A white band or row of spots on the long tail feathers
Metallic blue-black on top
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
White-bellied Sea-EagleHaliaeetus leucogaster
When to look:Year-round. Breeds May - August
Juvenile (first year) head buffish and ‘spiky’, contrasting with patchy cream and dark brown body and wings; underwing pattern also patchy, but note half-moon at base of taol feathers. Older juveniles have pale buff-grey tail.
Images courtesy of Sergey Yeliseevk, David Cook and Sascha Wenninger, Flickr CC
Dark grey back with a white head, chest and belly. Dark eyes. Light grey beak.
Size: up to 84cm
Voice: far-carrying metallic clanking
Similar species:
Osprey: bold dark eye mark; slimmer, arched wings with black ‘wrist’ mark.
Wedge-tailed Eagle: blacker; larger; diamond-shaped black tail.
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
White-faced HeronEgretta novaehollandiae
When to look:Throughout year; breeds October to December
Light blue-grey colour
Images courtesy of Marj K.
Similar species:
The White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica) is a large heron with a white head and a long white neck with a double line of black spots running down the front. The Pied Heron (A. picata) is a similar slate-black heron with contrasting white throat and neck, but it is a much smaller (43 cm - 52 cm) bird, with a crested dark cap that extends below the eyes, yellow legs, and a bill that is mostly yellow.
Size: 60-70cm
White face and pointed grey bill
Low, bouncing flight
Dull yellow legs
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
FROG field guide
Common FrogletCrinia signifera
When to look:Breeding occurs all year except mid-summer
Ground-dwelling froglet with slender body and slightly pointed head, measuring 18-28mm in length.
Eggs are laid in clusters of 200, usually attached to submerged vegetation.
Tadpoles are brown or light grey scattered with dark flecks, around 36mm in length
Image: Stephen Mahony, Australian Museum
Distinctive horizontal pupil
Similar species:
Can be distinguished by other Crinia species by its distinctive ‘crick crick crick’ call.
Colour varies from dark brown to light grey. Ventral surface typically has white spots. Appearance is highly variable between populations however.
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
FROG field guideSouthern Bullfrog, Eastern Banjo or Eastern Pobblebonk FrogLimnodynastes dumerilii
When to look:August to April
Grey to olive green, dark brown or black back, with dark marbling or flecks. Warty or rough back
Images courtesy of Stephen Mahony
Prominent gland on outer back leg
Similar species:
Northern Banjo Frog (L. terraereginae): has red colouration around its groin. Giant Banjo Frog (L. interioris): has a bright orange or yellow belly with no mottling. Common Spadefoot Toad (Neobatrachus sudelli, Giant Burrowing Frog (Heleioporus australiacus) and Mallee Spadefoot Toad (Neobatrachus pictus): don’t have the gland on the outer side of hind legs.
Pale yellow stripe that runs from eye to arm
Listen to call: a single ‘bonk’ or ‘plonk’ that is usually repeated every few seconds
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
FROG field guideSouthern Brown Tree Frog or Ewing’s Tree FrogLitoria ewingi
When to look:
Throughout year, particularly from late winter
Pale fawn cream, orange to light brown or green body. Wide brown band from its eyes to down its back
Images courtesy of FlickrCC
Similar species:
Victorian Frog / False Ewing’s Tree
Frog (Litoria paraewingi):
generally smaller, with a slower
call and not normally found in the
same areas. Verreaux’s Tree Frog
(Litoria verreauxi): has dark or
black blotches on its sides,
Lesueur’s Tree Frog (Litoria
lesueuri): has a visible ear drum (a
darker patch just behind its eye).
Half webbed toes; no webbing on fingers
Listen to call: a a series of rapid, harsh whirring, pulsing notes “creeee creee creee creee creee” repeated 5-15 times
Narrow black or brown stripe from its snout, through to its eye, to shoulder
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
INSECT field guide
Cabbage White ButterflyPieris rapae
When to look:From September through summer
Black tip on forewing. Up to 5 cm wingspan. Black spot on forewing (one spot for males and two for females)
Image courtesy of ClimateWatch users
Similar species:
Another white butterfly: won’t have the two or three black spots on the upper side of the forewing. Also, the underside of its hindwing won’t be yellow.
From underneath, the forewing is white while the hindwing is yellowish
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
INSECT field guide
Common Brown ButterflyHeteronympha merope
When to look:October through May
Mostly orange, with obvious raised vein in middle of forewing. Small eye-spot on each wing.
Image courtesy of ClimateWatch users
Similar species: It is difficult to identify these butterflies when they are resting with their wings closed. Banks Brown Butterfly (Heteronympha banksii banksii): has an eyespot only on its hindwings, not on all wings. Shouldered Brown (Heteronympha penelope): has darker markings near the wing bases giving it a shouldered look, and an extra eyespot on the hindwing Forest Brown or Cyril’s Brown Butterfly (Argynnina cyrila): has more black markings on its upperside.
Underside of wings are paler with faint markings
Males lack pale patches. Females have yellow and dark brown patches near tip of forewings
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
INSECT field guide
European WaspVespula germanica
When to look:Spring to autumn
Transparent wings
Image courtesy of Malcolm Tattersall
Yellow legs; black antennae
Similar species:
English Wasp: black marking on each yellow band on its abdomen tapers to a point, while it is a triangle shape on the European wasp. It is also restricted to the eastern parts of Melbourne and Gippsland region.
Paper wasp: has a longer, thinner body, orange-brown antennae, back legs that hang down during flight, and is often seen hovering. Its nest is smaller, usually above ground and looks like honeycomb cells without an outer covering.
Other wasps: most don’t have the vivid yellow and black markings.
Bee: has black legs, dull yellow bands on its abdomen with no black dots.
Bright yellow and black bands across abdomen.
Pair of black spots and black triangle on each yellow band.
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
SPECIES field guide
Honey BeeApis mellifera
When to look:Early spring to weather below 13oC
Hairy abdomen with black and brown (or yellow or orange) stripes.
Images courtesy of ClimateWatch users Luca Mav and Nicola Storey 2016
Black head, upper body and legsSimilar species:
A wasp: has yellow legs, brighter yellow bands on its abdomen and lacks the hairiness of the Honey Bee.
Native Australian Bees: while it is difficult to see, native bees don’t have hairy eyes like the Honey Bee. Also a Honey Bee usually has obvious “baskets” full of pollen on its legs.
Usually has “baskets” of pollen on its legs
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
PLANT field guide
Black-anther Flax-lilyDianella revoluta
When to look:Throughout year; flowers spring to summer
Flowers stick up above the leaves, consisting of 6 purple petals (7-12mm length) and 6 stamens (pollen-bearing part of the flower) in a ring. These are long, thick and have brown to black tips with yellow stems.
Images courtesy of Loraine Jansen (shrub), Swan Bay Environment Association (fruit) and Neil Blair (flowers)
Long, feathery shrub with flowers sticking up above the leaves. Long green pointy leaves with vibrant blue to purple inflorescences (flower clusters); up to 1.5 m high
Similar species:
Only D. revoluta var. revoluta is currently recognised for Victoria. Nodding Blue Lily Stypandra glauca has similar flowers, later in season; leaves form massive clump
Fruit is blue to purple and 4-10mm in diameter with 3-4 shiny black seeds that persist months after flowering.
Leaves are long, feathery, smooth green. 15-85cm long with 4-15mm width. Pointy ends and long and stiff throughout. Can sometimes appear red towards base but this is rare.
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
PLANT field guide
BlackwoodAcacia melanoxylon
When to look:Throughout year; flowers July
to December
Images: flowering tree habit and leaf, Neil-Blair © RBG Board; seed pods, Julie Burgher Flickr CC; flowers Forest & KimStarr, FlickrCC
Small to large tree, 3-45 m high. Pale yellow to white flowers July to December
Seed pods strongly curved or coiled and 4-12 cm long, straight-sided to slightly constricted between seeds. Seeds longitudinal, twice-encircled by an orange to red funicle (elongated fleshy structure that supports the seed).
Similar species:
Acacia melanoxylon is one of the most wide-ranging tree species in eastern Australia and considerably variable, particularly in leaf size and shape. Acacia implexa is similar but differs in its whitish funicle (fleshy structure around the seed), leaves that are more sickle-shaped and later flowering time.
Leaves lance-shaped, straight to slightly curved. 3-5 raised main veins with numerous secondary veins
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
PLANT field guide
Cherry BallartExocarpos cupressiformis
When to look:Throughout year; usually flowers September - May
Flowers yellow-green in short, dense, clusters that are usually 6 mm long.
Images courtesy of Annabel Carle and Geoff Carle
Shrub or small pyramidal tree, commonly 8-10m high, yellowish green or bronzy. Numerous branchlets are hairy and flaky at first then become smooth and straight.
Similar species:
Eucalyptus sideroxylon subsp. improcera is a small stunted tree restricted to inland Queensland.
Fruits/seeds: globular, small, hard, greenish inedible nut at the end of a swollen orange to red stalk
Leaves: scale-like, triangular, 0.5 mm long and 2–3 mm long on new growth.
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
PLANT field guide
Sweet Bursaria (Blackthorn)Bursaria spinosa subsp. spinosa
When to look:
Flowering occurs from December to February in NSW, fruiting occurs from June to July
White, fragrant flowers that are 6-10 mm in width
Images courtesy of L. von Richter
Fruits are dark brown, flattened capsules in clusters
Similar species:
Bursaria spinosa subsp. lasiophylla is another subspecies that is similar but found in eucalypt woodlands with heavier soils. Often found at higher altitudes in tablelands or low mountain ranges in SE Australia.
Capsules are 7 mm in length and 9 mm in width and contain 4 seeds
Woody shrub or small tree that grows 5-10 m in height
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
PLANT field guide
Silver BanksiaBanksia marginata
When to look:
Flowers appear from Feb to July (Sept and April in Tasmania), and seed cones appear after flowers
Pale yelllow cylindrical spikes form bottle-brush shaped flowers
Image courtesy of Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Inc.
Seeds are enclosed in dark brown follicles attached to woody cones
Similar species:
The Silver Banksia can be differentiated from most other banksias by its serrated leaves, the notch at the end of the leaf tips, and the silvery underside to its leaves.
Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia): has larger leaves and flowers and its leaves are whorled around the stem (several coming out from the same point on stem) instead of alternate like on the Silver Banksia.
Mountain Banksia (Banksia canei): found above 600m in the semi-alpine areas of NSW and Victoria, it has some sharp points on its leaves, stouter flowers and larger follicles that remain closed for several years.
Green leaves are silvery underneath and may have serrated edges
A shrub, flat-lying plant, or tree
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
PLANT field guide
Spiny-headed Mat-rush or SaggLomandra longifolia
When to look:
Flowering usually occurs September - February
Images courtesy of Donald Hobern, Margaret Donald Images courtesy of Donald Hobern, Margaret Donald and graibeard, Flickrand graibeard, Flickr
Leaves are glossy green, firm and flat. Can be up to 1m long and around 1-2cm wide. Leaves are suaully taller than the flowering stem. Tips of leaves have teeth forming a W-shape.
Similar species:
It is similar in appearance to Mondo grass, however Spiny-headed Mat-rush is generally more compact, and slightly taller.
It also resembles L. hystrix, which has openly branching inflorescences compared to the tightly clumped inflorescences of Basket Grass .
L. hystrix has small teeth surrounding the main leaf point, and generally greener leaves than Spiny-headed mat-rush.
Fruits are green until mature then turn brown. They are round, and closely associated with sharp spines.
Native, tussock-type grass
Flowers grow in a whirled cluster attached to straw-coloured bracts (modified leaf).
Individual flowers are roughly 4mm long, creamy yellow and have a strong scent.