Bird Watching

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Bird Watching at Tangalooma

Laughing Kookaburra

(Kingfishers) Largest kingfisher species. Distinct “laughing” call used to defend territory. Live in family groups, strictly carnivorous. Breed Aug-Dec.

Media Search - Macaulay Library and eBird (no date) Laughing Kookaburra - Dacelo novaeguineae. Available at: https://search.macaulaylibrary.org/catalog?taxonCode=laukoo1 (Accessed: 04 September 2024).

Forest Kingfisher

(Kingfishers) White on chest, bright blue wings and cap. Male has a white collar. Feed on range of prey from both water and land. Breed Oct-Jan.

Broadfoot, A.E. (no date) Forest kingfisher, The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/forest-kingfisher-todiramphus-macleayii/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Rainbow Lorikeet

(Parrots & Cockatoos) Brightly coloured, only seen here at certain times of the year. Usually in large, noisy flocks. Feed on flowers, pollen and nectar. Breed Sep-Dec.

Heathcote, A. (2024) You may know Rainbow Lorikeets, but what about all the other lorikeets?, Australian Geographic. Available at: https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2018/10/you-may-know-rainbow-lorikeets-but-what-about-all-the-others/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Galah

(Parrots & Cockatoos) Distinct pink and grey colour. Commonly seen on the ground in grassy areas, feeding on seeds and grains. Only here at certain times of the year.

Galah (no date) The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/galah/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Australian Pelican

(Sea and Shore Birds) One of the largest pelicans with up to 2.5m wingspan. Long bill (up to 50cm), pouch can hold up to 13L. Breed inland during the wet season.

Australian pelican (no date) The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/australian-pelican/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Pied Cormorant

(Sea and Shore Birds) Black and white with bright facial colours. Streamlined and lack waterproofing for fast swimming and diving, up to 20m deep, in pursuit of fish. Breed Dec-Jun.

ML623237379 (no date) Pied Cormorant - Macaulay Library. Available at: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/623237379 (Accessed: 04 September 2024).

Crested Tern

(Sea and Shore Birds) Second largest tern in Australia. Slender birds with pointed wings and forked tail. Feed on fish by diving into sea, often in flocks. Breed Oct-Jun.

Crested tern (sterna bergii) (no date) Crested Tern (Sterna bergii). Available at: https://www.ozanimals.com/Bird/Crested-Tern/Sterna/bergii.html (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Silver Gull (Seagull)

(Sea and Shore Birds) Solid birds with strong webbed feet for walking and swimming. Scavengers, often seen in urbanized areas.

Silver Gull (no date) The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/silver-gull/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

White-faced Heron

(Sea and Shore Birds) Wader bird, grey with white face when mature. Hunt small fish, prawns, crabs, etc. in nearshore areas exposed by low tide.

Murray, A.M. (no date) White-faced Heron, The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/white-faced-heron/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Whistling Kite

(Bird of Prey) Medium-sized, mottled brown raptor. Feed on carrion and live prey. Nest high in trees, eg. in the Norfolk Pine next to Tangatours. Breed Mar-Oct.

ML110830061 (no date) Whistling Kite - Macaulay Library. Available at: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/110830061 (Accessed: 04 September 2024).

Brahminy Kite

(Bird of Prey) Chestnut and white colour. Often seen gliding along the shore looking for carrion, fish, insects and small reptiles. Not commonly seen at the resort. Breed Apr-Oct.

Harrington, A.J. (no date) Brahminy Kite, The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/brahminy-kite/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

White-bellied Sea Eagle

(Bird of Prey) White head and body with contrasting grey wings. Second largest eagle in Australia and largest bird of prey in this area. Breed May-Sep.

White-bellied sea-eagle (no date) The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/white-bellied-sea-eagle/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Osprey

(Bird of Prey) Brown and white colour. Seen gliding high above the sea, then fold back wings to dive on fish. Can dive up to 1m and have specialised closable nostrils! Breed May-Oct.

(No date) Osprey - eBird. Available at: https://ebird.org/species/osprey (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Welcome Swallow

Slender body with red chest and long tapered wings. Capture insects on the wing in graceful swooping motions. Often breed (Jun-Jan) close to human civilization.

Welcome swallow (no date) The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/welcome-swallow/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Eastern Koel (Common Koel)

Parasitic cuckoos like the Common Koel lay their eggs in nests of other birds, to be raised by the unknowing foster parents. Only seen here in summer, male heard constantly calling to the female.

Murray, A.M. (no date a) Eastern Koel (formerly common koel), The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/eastern-koel/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Torresian Crow

Highly intelligent birds with harsh noisy territorial calls. Feed on almost anything from stranded fish, carrion, scraps etc. Breed Sep-Feb.

Torresian Crow (no date) The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/torresian-crow/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Magpie

The Australian Magpie is black and white and very territorial. During the nesting season (Aug-Oct) they will defend their territories vigorously and may swoop or attack any invaders, even people.

Murray, A.M. (no date a) Australian magpie, The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/australian-magpie/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Bush Stone Curlew

Nocturnal bird, often heard calling at night, making a mournful wailing “wee loo” sound. Local Aborigines believed these birds send a message from the spirit world. Breed Aug-Feb.

(No date a) Bush stone-Curlew - eBird. Available at: https://ebird.org/species/butkne1?siteLanguage=en_AU (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Noisy Friar

A large honeyeater, often heard squabbling in flowering trees. Aggressively chase other birds that enter their territory. Eat nectar, fruit and insects.

(No date a) Noisy Friarbird - eBird. Available at: https://ebird.org/species/noifri1 (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Fig Bird

Gather in flocks and clamber about in trees eating fruits, insects and nectar. Males have obvious yellow breast and bare red skin patch around the eye. Breed Sep-Feb.

Australasian figbird (no date) Ausemade. Available at: https://ausemade.com.au/flora-fauna/fauna/birds/australasian-figbird-sphecotheres-vieilloti/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

Masked Lapwing

Also known as Plover. Will defend their territory vigorously, even diving at people and striking with wing spurs. Breed Nov-Jun.

Masked lapwing (no date) The Australian Museum. Available at: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/masked-lapwing/ (Accessed: 06 September 2024).

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