My Top Twelve Bird Sightings of 2015

After the hectic pace of last year that saw a Top Thirty Bird List, reduced travel this year sees me back to a Top Ten.  OK, so it’s a Top Twelve, I couldn’t decide between certain Aussie birds!  These aren’t the rarest birds or even new to my “Life List” but these birds are the ones that made the biggest impression on me for their beauty, personality or just because I FINALLY managed to get a decent photo of one!

  1.  BLOSSOM-HEADED PARAKEET – seen near Doi Inthanon, Thailand.

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2.  GREEN-BACKED SUNBIRD – Seen at the summit of Doi Inthanon.

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3.  BLACK-HEADED WOODPECKER – Seen in Mae Ping National Park, Thailand.

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4.  MOUSTACHED PARAKEET – Seen near Khao Yai National Park, Thailand.

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5.  LONG-TAILED PARAKEET – Seen at Taiping Lake Gardens, Malaysia.

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6.  BLUE-WINGED PITTA – Seen at Taman Negara, Malaysia

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7.  RED-RUMPED PARROT – Seen in various places around Lake Coolmunda.

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8.  STRAIATED PARDALOTE – Who can resist such a cute little show-off!

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9.  BLUEBONNET PARROT – After barely seeing one whiz by at Bowra last year, it was nice to at least see a pair fly around Mosquito Creek Road!

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10.  LITTLE LORIKEET – Yet another species that was often seen but hard to photograph, finally caught them perching at Durikai watering hole.

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11. SACRED KINGFISHER – Seen around the Coolmunda area and also near Tin Can Bay.

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12.  YELLOW-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO – Seen at the Ground Parrot area near Rainbow Beach.  Having these beautiful birds swoop so close to us after a long, hot day just really made our trip!

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