Ten Christmas-themed Birds Seen In Boddington.
A wide variety of birds frequent Boddington and the surrounding region. We're used to seeing photographs of the conventional Robin Red Breast at Christmas, but here are some more Australian birds to look out for when you visit the area - there are quite a few that could be contenders for a South East WA Christmas bird of the year :-)
I hope you enjoy this journey of discovery - which bird would you vote for?
All information has been taken from eBird – Click the link to read full descriptions, see the fabulous photographs and hear the bird song.
Small bird with a very long blue-gray tail held cocked, found in wet areas with dense vegetation in southwestern Western Australia. Breeding male has pale blue helmet, black throat and breast, small pale blue patch on back, and rich chestnut shoulder patch.
Tiny, compact bird, a typical flowerpecker with a short bill and very short tail. Adult male glossy black above, with bright red chest, black stripe in center of belly, and red undertail coverts.. Flight call a high-pitched, thin “dzee,” song a series of high twittering notes.
Large Australian robin. Males black above, with a black head and chin, and a large white spot above the bill. Breast and belly bright scarlet. Black wing shows extensive white panels. Inhabits open woodlands as well as farmland and grasslands in southeastern and southwestern Australia and Tasmania. Perches low, snatching prey from the ground.
4: Spotted Dove
A common garden bird throughout much of Asia, found in open forests, fields, and parks; introduced to several regions around the world. Often tame and approachable. Turtle-doves are larger, have black centers to wing feathers and stripes rather than spots on the neck. Coos loudly and often: “coo-a-roooo
Small Australian robin. Male black above, with a black head and chin, vivid scarlet breast and forecrown. Folded wing black with extensive white panels
Distinctive shorebird with very long and dramatically up-curved bill, dark red head and neck. In flight shows patches of black on the back, shoulders, and wing-tips. Usually seen on or near water, both on the coast and inland. Wades in shallow water; readily swims in deeper water. It is the only avocet species in Australia.
Surely the laughing Kookaburra should be a strong contender for the Boddington Christmas bird. Its distinctive laugh can be heard echoing in the air across the beautiful landscapes of Western Australia. Something that we all hope to be doing at Christmas.
8: The Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo
Large black cockatoo with tall rounded crest. Mostly black plumage with red or orange panels on the tail. Female has yellow spots and barring on the chest. Typically occurs in groups or large flocks. Note loud calls from large noisy flocks.
This beautiful bird looks the part! Plump, tiny, short-tailed bird, olive above, blackish with white-spotted belly below, with a bright red bill. Inhabits dense vegetation beside streams around in southwestern Western Australia.
Last, but not least - a small bird with a long blue tail that is held cocked. Breeding males are almost entirely blue with a strong black line from the bill through the eyes and around the back of the head, a black chest band, and a black rump