by Peter Rowland | Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Drongos (Family: Dicruridae) A single non-endemic species in Australia, with the north-eastern not believed to breed outside Australia. Slender birds with strongly curved upper mandible, ringing calls, stiff rictal bristles and prominent “fish-tail”. Spangled Drongo...
by Peter Rowland | Thursday, October 15, 2020
Emus & Cassowaries (Family Casuariidae) Like the ostriches both the Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae and the Southern Cassowary Casuarius casuarius lack a keel on the sternum, have loose barbless feathers and are both flightless. They also have large powerful legs...
by Peter Rowland | Monday, October 19, 2020
Fantails (Family: Rhipiduridae) These are small, active insectivores, with a conspicuous broadly fan-shaped tail. None of the five species recorded in Australia are endemic. The Lord Howe Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa cervina is listed as extinct. The Willie...
by Peter Rowland | Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Frigatebirds (Family Fregatidae) Five species of these large seabirds, with long, pointed wings and long outer tail feather occur worldwide. Three species to breed in Australia, the Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel, Great Frigatebird F. minor and Christmas Island...
by Peter Rowland | Monday, October 19, 2020
Frogmouths (Family: Podargidae) These nocturnal birds rely on their cryptic plumage for camouflage against intruders. The widespread Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides is endemic. Both the Marbled Frogmouth P. ocellatus and the Papuan Frogmouth P. papuensis are also...
