Birds of Adelaide Zoo
Australian Pelican, Adelaide Zoo
I enjoy visiting the Adelaide Zoo on a regular basis. Not only does the zoo have a good selection of animals and reptiles, all kept in animal friendly and appropriate enclosures, but it also boasts an excellent collection of birds. Birding is one of my passions and you can read more about our birds on my blog called Trevor’s Birding.
On this post I feature only 4 of the species represented at the zoo; there are many more in the numerous aviaries. Some of the aviaries are walk-through, giving excellent close-up views of the birds.
The Australian Pelican shown above is a common water bird seen throughout Australia where there is suitable habitat. It is one of our most easily recognised birds and has featured in many books, documentaries and even feature films (Storm Boy).
Australian Bustard, Adelaide Zoo
Shown above, Australian Bustards (or wild turkey) are turkey sized birds of the inland regions of our country. Before land clearing for farming this species was far more widespread.
Below is a photo of the beautiful Princess Parrot, another bird of the arid inland regions. It is commonly kept in aviaries but is not often seen in its natural environment due to the remoteness of its preferred habitat. Another bird of the interior regions is the Flock Bronze-wing Pigeon, shown in the last photo.
Princess Parrot, Adelaide Zoo
Flock Bronzewing Pigeon, Adelaide Zoo
Pelicans at Mallacoota
Australian Pelican, Mallacoota, Victoria
On our evening walk around Mallacoota we saw several Australian Pelicans cruising around near the jetty. They seemed to be quite unafraid of humans.
Several fishermen were cleaning their catch nearby, so I guess they have become used to having leftovers thrown at them from the fishermen and so they hang around for a free handout.
It was just on sunset, and the last soft rays of the setting sun lit up these beautiful birds to show off their lovely markings.
Australian Pelican, Mallacoota, Victoria
Birds of Mallacoota, Victoria
Bird life, Mallacoota, Victoria
On our walk around Mallacoota we followed the edge of the estuary. In the inlet and on sand bars and small islands we could see many water birds. I was kept busy taking photos, checking them out through my binoculars and jotting down the species’ names in my notebook. During our stay of about 18 hours I made quite a healthy list, mostly water birds. A stay of a week or more would undoubtedly add considerably to this list.
In the photo above I have captured Australian Pelicans, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, cormorants (not sure but probably Little Black) and Silver Gulls.
Black Swans, Mallacoota, Victoria
The photos above and below show the numerous Black Swans feeding in the shallows of the estuary.
Black Swans, Mallacoota, Victoria
Strange birds at Bateman’s Bay
Australian Pelican, Bateman's Bay
One of the most unusual sights I have seen was at the waterfront in Bateman’s Bay on the south coast of New South Wales.
Not one – but about a dozen Australian Pelicans were standing or sitting on the light covers in the street. I’ve never seen them perching like this before and it was so unusual in my opinion that I had to stop and take a photo.
Bizarre.
Bateman's Bay, south coast of NSW