Java Sparrows, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Java Sparrow, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
The Java Sparrow (also called Java Finch or Java Rice Finch) is native to the Indonesian Islands, including Java and Bali. It is a seed eater and is commonly found in grain farming areas such as rice fields. It can become a pest to farmers in some areas.
This beautiful little finch is also a common cage bird around the world.
The birds in these photos were taken in a walk-through aviary at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.
Java Sparrow, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Java Sparrow, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Chukar Partridge, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Chukar Partridge, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
The attractive Chukar Partridge is a bird found across Asia and parts of Europe. It is considered a good game bird and belongs to the pheasant family. There are feral introduced populations in North America and New Zealand, being released as game birds for shooting. A small population also existed for a while in New South Wales though the latest edition of the Simpson and Day Field Guide suggests that this population is now extinct. It is the national bird of Pakistan.
The bird in the photo above was taken in a walk through aviary at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Much closer to home, however, my cousin recently had one in his garden here in Murray Bridge in South Australia. He sent a photo of it for identification wondering what it was. I guess someone is missing a beautiful bird from their aviary here in my home town.
Bird aviaries in Pinnaroo
Red-winged Parrot in aviary, Pinnaroo, South Australia
I have recently written a series of articles on my birding blog (Trevor’s Birding) about the aviaries at the Pinnaroo Caravan Park. Instead of repeating all that information here, I will just link to the relevant articles below. Click on the link to read the article and see the photos I took of the beautiful birds seen there.
- Bird aviary, Pinnaroo Caravan Park
- Red-winged Parrot
- Cockatiel Parrots
- Two Galahs and a Corella
- Emus
- Pink Cockatoo
- What parrot was that again?
While you are there, have a good look around. You will find over a thousand articles, most with photos, about Australian birds.