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
Fishing Cat, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Fishing Cat, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Until my visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney last year, I didn’t know that the Fishing Cat existed. It is native to south east Asian countries. Its preferred habitat includes wetlands, rivers, creeks and swamps. It has slightly webbed feet which enable it to be an excellent swimmer. This helps it to catch fish and birds.
In its range it is endangered because its habitat is being used for farming and fishing.
It is quite a bit larger than a domestic cat.
Fishing Cat, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Bleeding Heart Pigeon, Taronga Zoo Sydney
Bleeding Heart Pigeon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
I took these photos of a Bleeding Heart Pigeon in a walk through aviary in Taronga Zoo, Sydney. This bird is quite an arresting species with its bright red colour on the front looking very much like it has been wounded in some way. They are a species kept commonly in aviaries here in Australia and many zoos have a small collection of them as well.
Bleeding Heart Pigeons are from the Philippine Islands and are a member of the dove and pigeon family of birds. Pigeons and doves drink in a unique way in the bird kingdom. Most birds fill their beaks and tilt their head bad allowing water to dribble down the throat. Pigeons and doves on the other hand are able to suck water up through their beaks.
Bleeding Heart Pigeons eat fruit, berries, seeds and insects. It is a bird of the lower levels of the forests.
Further reading:
- Bleeding Heart Pigeons – information from the Honolulu Zoo website.
Bleeding Heart Pigeon, 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.
Nicobar Pigeon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Nicobar Pigeon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
The Nicobar Pigeon is named after the Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean SE of India. Although they are named after these islands, their distribution is much broader, stretching to the east through the Malay Peninsula and the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
I’ve never visited or been birding in this part of the world so I’ve not seen the Nicobar Pigeon in its natural environment. The iridescent colours of its plumage makes this a stunning bird. The birds shown in this photo was seen in a walk through aviary at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.
Nicobar Pigeon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney