Birds in Western Australia

Of the 14 species in Oz, the most common cockatoos in WA are the Galah and Little Corella.

These cheeky buggers make excellent pets with delightful antics and voice mimicry.

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Budgerigars (budgies) are native to Australia.

These nomadic, storm-chasing, desert bird-tribes have flourished in the Outback for millions of years.

Closely related to the rare, desert Night Parrot and similar in appearance, it is believed budgies can fly at night, if necessary, to find water-bearing electrical storms during harsh droughts.

The Spotted Turtle Dove is a pigeon native to eastern Asia. It was introduced into Australia in the mid-1800s and quickly became established. It is now a common sight throughout south-western Australia.

Leery of humans and quick to take flight at the slightest motion or noise, with fast flicking and beating wings.

Red Wattlebirds are the second largest honeyeaters in Australia.

They have two distinctive red flaps either side of the neck called wattles.

This noisy and aggressive bird is also known as the Barkingbird because of the harsh raucous squawks used to frighten other birds away from its feeding territory, but it can also sing melodically.

King of the Australian skies.

Wedge-tailed eagles will hunt for a variety of prey including young kangaroos, lizards, rabbits and wallabies.
They will pursue prey with amazing agility, forcing the victim into open land where the clutching power of the deadly talons and the force of the strike is often enough to kill their quarry.

Over three hundred years ago, in 1697, Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh came across a river which he named after the

BLACK SWANS

observed in large multitudes. Until then, all swans were thought to be white.

The official bird of Western Australia.

Chitti Chitti

When the Wagtail’s white eyebrows become flared watch out!

Aggressive and fearless when defending its territory this small bird will attack and harass dogs, cats, humans, snakes or eagles, it doesn’t matter.

The Australian Magpie is an intelligent, accomplished songbird with a beautiful melodious call. You can often hear them singing together.

Magpies live in family groups and are territorial. They will kill other magpies that come into their territory.

Laughing Kookaburra - an Australian icon.

The popular snake-killing fame of these sit-and-wait predators justified the introduction of 'laughing jackasses' into Western Australia by early settlers from the eastern states.

The predictable early morning 'hideous chorus of feindish laughter' resulted in vernacular names like 'Bushman's Clock' and 'Breakfast Bird' by colonists.

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

Native to southwest WA and loves feeding on 'honky nuts' from the Marri tree.

The aboriginal name, Karrak, is derived from the birds call.

If men had wings and bore black feathers few of them would be clever enough to be crows.

(Rev. Henry Beecher, mid 1800's)

Australian Ravens are big black omnivorous birds similar to crows.

This bird is one of a pair that mates for life.

Called Waarder, "the Watcher" by local aborigines.

In a nationwide competition for Australia’s favourite native bird, the ibis led the poll for much of the voting but lost to the magpie by 843 votes. (19,926 votes to 19,083)

Their most distinctive behaviour is the beating and whistling sound their wings make when they take off.