by Peter Rowland | Monday, October 19, 2020
Starlings (Family Sturnidae) Seven species are present in Australia. The native Metallic Starling Aplonis metallica and the Singing Starling Aplonis cantoroides both have wider distributions, the Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris and Common Myna Acridotheres tristis...
by Peter Rowland | Monday, October 19, 2020
Stone-curlews (Family Burhinidae) Two species of long-legged, generally shy, cryptically-plumaged birds. Both the Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius and Beach Stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris are breeding residents in Australia, but are also found in New Guinea,...
by Peter Rowland | Monday, October 19, 2020
Storks (Family Ciconiidae) The only stork recorded in Australia is the Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhnchus asiaticus. The subspecies that breeds within Australia, extends into Southeast Asia. Tall, with coral pink legs, dark head and large bill. Black-necked Stork...
by Peter Rowland | Monday, October 19, 2020
Swallows and Martins (Family Hirudinidae) Of Australia’s seven recorded species, only the White-backed Swallow Cheramoeca leucosterna is endemic. Other breeding species are the Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena, the Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel and Tree Martin P....
by Peter Rowland | Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Swifts & Swiftlets (Family: Apodidae) Members of this family are long-winged and extremely weak-legged, and the two larger species in Australia have a spiny tail. They are specialised aerial feeders, capturing flying prey in the short, very wide beak. Nesting...
