Category Archives: Birds

Malachite Kingfisher (Corythornis cristatus)

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The Malachite Kingfisher (Corythornis cristatus) is a river kingfisher which is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara. It is largely resident except for seasonal climate-related movements.  This little beauty is only around 5 inches or 13 cm long so they can only eat small fish or insects.

They have a large range across central and southern Africa so your odds of seeing one is good.  They may be small but their brilliant colours make them stand out.  I have personally seen them in Mabamba Swamp, Uganda; South Luangwa, Zambia and Kruger NP, South Africa.

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Malachite kingfishers perched and looking for fish.

 

Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex)

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The Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) also known as whalehead or shoe-billed stork, is a very large stork-like bird. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.

They are found in East/Central Africa.  One of the best places to see them is Mabamba Swamp in Uganda where there is a whole day trip dedicated to them with a high rate of successful sightings.

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OMG, the look on this guy’s face!

 

The Shoebill Safari Experience

Lunchtime!

Pacific Emerald Dove/Brown-capped Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps longirostris)

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The Pacific Emerald Dove or Brown-capped Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps longirostris) is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of Indonesia to northern and eastern Australia. It was formerly conspecific with the common emerald dove (found in Asia).  More information about the taxonomy is in the links below.

They have a large range throughout Northern & Eastern Australia and also in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.  I stumbled upon this one by sheer luck near a beach in Darwin.

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Since the taxonomy is recently split, I had to search clips that were filmed in Australia.

Here we see courting behaviour.

Ground foraging

 

 

 

Orange-footed Scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt)

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The Orange-footed Scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt) is a small megapode of the family Megapodiidae.

They have quite a large range across Northern Australia and most of Indonesia and New Guinea.  We saw lots of them, mostly in Mary River, Howard Springs and Darwin.

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Active bird calling and foraging.

 

This one is building a nest.

 

Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton)

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The Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) is commonly found in moist savannah, and subtropical/tropical (lowland) moist shrubland.  They range in colour, some are more crimson-y than others as you will see in the links below.  These are less crimson-y.

A male?

A female?

They range from far Western Australia-Kimberley across to northern parts of Northern Territory and Gulf Country and on to the east coast of Far North Queensland.  I got a glimpse of them on the Yellow Waters Cruise in Kakadu, saw some in the bush near Windows on the Wetlands and a closer look at Fogg Dam.

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10,000 Birds

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Look how bright these guys are!  My photos are duller but maybe it’s just my lack of skills.

The ones I saw were more like this.

 

 

Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusillus)

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The Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusillus) is a small and rare kingfisher with a rich blue back and head and a snowy white breast. It has a heavy bill and has a short tail.  They aren’t easy to find so I was really happy to see this one on the Yellow Waters Cruise.

They are found mostly on the island of New Guinea but also some small, scattered populations in Australia.  Given the remoteness, your best bet is the Yellow Waters Cruise in Kakadu.

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Not many but Laurie Ross has some on YT.

Don’t blink or you will miss this one!

A beautiful bird ready for his close-up!

 

 

 

 

Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus)

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The Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus) is a small and very colourful bird, with a stunning deep blue to azure back, a large white to buff spot on side of neck and throat, rufous-buff with some blue-violet streaks on breast and flanks.  The colour of these two birds is different but that could be the lighting, I took both photos in Kakadu on the Yellow Waters Cruise.

They have a huge range throughout much of Australia and the island of New Guinea.  I saw several in Kakadu and have also seen them on local Brisbane area birding walks.

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Now you can appreciate the amazing colours of this bird!

Looking for food in the billabong.

 

Torresian Imperial Pigeon (Ducula spilorrhoa)

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The Torresian Imperial Pigeon (Ducula spilorrhoa), also known as the Nutmeg Pigeon, White Nutmeg Pigeon, Australian Pied Imperial Pigeon or Torres Strait Pigeon, is a relatively large, pied species of pigeon.

I spotted a pair hanging around the Gagadju Lodge in Cooinda.

The have a fairly large range in northern Australia and the island of New Guinea.

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Stretching and looking pretty!

 

Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea)

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The Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea), also known as the Jesus Bird,  Lotusbird or Lilytrotter, is the only species of jacana in the genus Irediparra. Like other jacana species, it is adapted to the floating vegetation of tropical freshwater wetlands.  I really enjoyed watching them at Kakadu, as they walked across the lily pads.

They have a huge range throughout much of Australia, the island of New Guinea and some Indonesian islands.  I saw several in Kakadu on the Yellow Waters Cruise.

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This clip by Mike Grant is cool as it shows some baby jacanas hiding in the parent’s breast.

Watch them walk across the lily pads.