Wildlife Profiles

(Ardea alba)

THE GREAT EGRET
Also known as The Plumed Egret or White Heron.
The Great Egret is the largest of the Australian egrets. They occur throughout most of the world but are very common throughout Australia, with the exception of the most arid areas. 
Great Egrets prefer shallow water, particularly when flowing, but may be seen on any watered area, including damp grasslands. Great Egrets can be seen alone or in small flocks, often with other egret species, and roost at night in groups.

Diet: The Great Egret usually feeds alone. It feeds on molluscs, amphibians, aquatic insects, small reptiles, crustaceans and occasionally other small animals, but fish make up the bulk of its diet. The Great Egret usually hunts in water, wading through the shallows, or standing motionless before stabbing at prey. Birds have also been seen taking prey while in flight.
Breeding: October to December in the south; March to May in the north. The Great Egret breeds in colonies, and often in association with cormorants, ibises and other egrets. Both sexes construct the nest, which is a large platform of sticks, placed in a tree over the water. The previous years' nest may often be re-used. Both sexes also incubate the eggs and care for the young
Character: Graceful and keep to themselves, occasionally hunting with other Egrets.

(Manorina melanocephala)

 

NOISY MINER
Commonly known as Soldier Bird or Mickey.
Despite their moderate size, Noisy Miners aggressively attack larger birds such as hawks and kookaburras. These attacks may be so vigorous that most other birds are excluded from an area occupied by Noisy Miners.
The birds range from northern Queensland along the eastern coast to South Australia and Tasmania.
They are found in woodlands and open forests. They have also become well adapted to suburban situations and are a common sight in parks and gardens.

Diet: Nectar, fruits and insects.  Very occasionally they will eat small reptiles and amphibians. They usually feed in large groups.
Breeding: July to December. Noisy Miners breed in colonies and several broods may be reared in one season. The female constructs the nest and incubates the eggs alone, but both sexes will care for and feed the young birds. Additional 'helpers' also feed the young. Interestingly, these helpers are almost always male birds.
Character: Territorial, bold and curious

(Cygnus atratus)

Black Swans are powerful birds, they bite, and their beating wings can break a man’s arm. Swans display aggression by lowering their neck, hissing, and rushing forward. They protect their territories from strangers and other swans, although they will tolerate ducks and smaller fowl.

Diet: The Black Swan is a vegetarian. Food consists of algae and weeds, which the bird obtains by plunging its long neck into water up to 1 m deep. Occasionally birds will graze on land, but they are clumsy walkers.
Breeding: February to May in the north; June to September in the south.

Black Swans form isolated pairs or small colonies in shallow wetlands. They pair for life, with both adults raising one brood per season. Eggs are laid in an untidy nest made of reeds and grasses. The nest is placed either on a small island or floated in deeper water. The chicks (cygnets) are covered in grey down and are able to swim and feed themselves as soon as they hatch.
Character: Extremely territorial.

(Popargus strigoides)

The Tawny Frogmouth can be seen in almost any habitat type (except the denser rainforests and treeless deserts), including heath, forest and woodlands, urban and rural areas.

Diet: The bulk of the Tawny Frogmouth's diet is made up of nocturnal insects, worms, slugs and snails. Small mammals, reptiles, frogs and birds are also eaten. Most food is obtained by pouncing to the ground from a tree or other elevated perch. Some prey items, such as moths, are caught in flight, which has led to many unfortunate instances of birds being hit by cars while chasing insects illuminated in the beam of the headlights.
Breeding: August to December. Tawny Frogmouths have a regular breeding season, but birds in more arid areas may breed in response to heavy rains. Both sexes incubate the eggs. The male sits during the day, but both sexes share sitting at night. The nest is a loose platform of sticks, which is usually placed on a horizontal forked tree branch.
Character: Territorial

WOMBAT

PACIFIC BLACK DUCK

RAINBOW LORIKEET

 EASTERN GREY KANGAROO

POSSUM

JABIRU

BABY HARE (LEVERET)

LIZARDS

OTHER BIRDS