Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
Published September 29, 2010 | 
A pair of these migratory birds arrived today searching for a suitable nesting site. Rainbow Bee-eater require a loamy soil, soft enough for nest tunneling.Arguably one of the most attractive birds in Australia with orange underwings, azure blues and yellow-green body. Image is of a female with two short thick tail streamers, the male tail streamers are much longer.
Reference; Morcombe, M . Field Guide to Australian Birds. P, 210.
White-cheeked Honeyeater (Phylidonyris nigra)
Published July 30, 2010 | 
Feeding in ( Banksia integrifolia) today is the locally migratory and nomadic White-cheeked Honeyeater. They are a common, fast moving species which inhabit the eastern seaboard, with another nominate race in the west.
Reference; Morcombe, M. Field Guide to Australian Birds.
Olive-backed Oriole (Oriolus sagittatus).
Published February 19, 2010 | 
“Occupying open forests and woodlands, foraging for fruit in the tree canopy “. This widely distributed species is difficult to spot with green streaked plumage and dusky dark grey wings. A migrant to the South-east.
Reference; Morcombe, M. Field Guide to Australian Birds.
Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)
Published January 25, 2010 | 
“Hunts from exposed perches; dives to ground to take prey; quite conspicuous in breeding season”. A pair nested near the top dam this spring and could be heard clearly with a piercing “kik-kik-kik-kikkikkik”. They were bold enough to pounce on my swatted March Flies.
Reference; Morcombe, M. Field Guide to Australian Birds.
Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops).
Published January 24, 2010 | 
” Migratory, large flocks move north in autumn following the Great Divide and coast-winter in northern N.S.W and S.E. Qld, return to breed in southern forests in spring. Status; common.
Reference; Morcombe, M. Field Guide to Australian Birds.
Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabellilformis)
Published January 23, 2010 |
“Hunts from a perch; waits patiently, drops to take insects from ground, foliage. Common across wildlife refuge; partly locally migratory”. Found perched in an Ironbark tree.
Reference; Morcombe, M. Field Guide to Australian Birds.
Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus)
Published January 15, 2010 | 
“A summer migrant from Cape York. May be solitary or in pairs, chasing insects, ripping into bark for spiders, beetles and other small prey. Found along the riparian zone on Sportsman Creek.
Reference; Morcombe, M. Field Guide to Australian Birds.
Azure Kingfisher (Alcedo azurea).
Published November 19, 2009 |
A spring/summer resident along the riparian zone on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. Bird is very hard to detect when perched as it hunts for fish or yabbies.
Reference; Morcombe, M. Field Guide to Australian Birds.
Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis).
Published November 18, 2009 | 
“Australia’s only representative of the Roller family; a regular breeding migrant to Australia, wintering on northern islands. Hunts from high bare limbs in the very early morning and twilight. Takes all prey in flight including cicada and beetles.” Three pair are nesting on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge today.
Reference; Morcombe, M. Field Guide to Australian Birds.