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Featured Wildlife Journeys

  • Eastern Rosella

  • Red-winged Parrot

  • Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

  • King Parrot

  • Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

  • Mulga Parrot

Parrots

Australia has long been known as the ‘Land of Parrots’ with scores of bright, iridescent birds distributed across the continent. There are 56 species of the parrot found in Australia, which includes cockatoos, lorikeets, rosellas, ringnecks and budgerigars.

Cockatoos are famed for their beautiful crests which are used in courtship. The iconic Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is a common sight across Eastern and the South-East of Australia, Kangaroo Island and East Gippsland where they often congregate in noisy flocks. Just as spectacular are the large black cockatoos of Australia. The northern forests of Arnhem Land provide abundant opportunities to see the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, whilst Kangaroo Island is home to a subspecies of the Glossy-black Cockatoo, where 350 individuals remain, feeding on the seeds of mature casuarina trees.

The haunting and mournful calls of the Yellow-tailed Black cockatoos are relatively common in the south-east area of Australia, with viewing opportunities across Gippsland and Maria Island. Perhaps the prettiest of all is the Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, with it’s scarlet, yellow and white head crest and beautiful orange-pink underwing. They can be seen in wooded areas or near pockets of water in the arid interior, especially around Uluru & Red Centre. In this region, Budgerigars can be seen in immense flocks following areas of rainfall and plant growth.

Rainbow Lorikeets are plentiful across the eastern and northern parts of the country, largely feeding on flowering eucalypts and banksias. Crimson, Eastern Rosellas are also familiar species that can be seen on the south-east and eastern coast, whilst the alluring King Parrot resides in the cool, wet forests of eastern Australia, with Gippsland providing terrific opportunities to see the vivid scarlet breast . Green Rosellas are unique to Tasmania which is also an important region for the endangered Swift Parrot, where it breeds in the Summer months and can be seen on Maria Island.

Australian Ringnecks are found in several different forms across the southern interior, with the Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and Uluru & Red Centre all providing habitat for these birds with distinctive golden collars, whilst the Mulga Parrot is found in similar scrub-plain especially across the Flinders Ranges. Much further north, a highlight for visitors to the open forests and grasslands of Kakadu & Arnhem Land and the Wet Tropics outside of Cairns is great for seeing the fluorescent Red-winged Parrot searching for seeds and berries.

The World Heritage Wet Tropics area including the Daintree and Tablelands area, is a prime spot for seeing the endemic subspecies of the Double-eyed Fig Parrot and Crimson Rosella as well as the Scaly-breasted and Little Lorikeet.

Search for birding tours including Parrots, using the seasonal viewing opportunities calendar further down the page.

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Viewing opportunities that include parrots

Months
  • King Parrot

    January,February,December, East Gippsland

    East Gippsland - Summer Birdwatching Opportunities

    East Gippsland is a wonderful destination to visit during the summer months, particularly if you're on the lookout for birds. The region has an enormous diversity of birdlife. One of the main reasons for this diversity is the mix of habitat types, including Eucalyptus woodlands, temperate rainforests, agricultural areas, wetlands and coastal habitats, too.

    Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours' Summer Highlights

    1. On the East Gippsland Wildlife Journey we stay in a homestead overlooking the Snowy River Valley at Orbost, and one of the highlights here is hearing the owls’ deep hoots from the accommodation, or finding them in one of their daytime roosts,” he says. “They just stare at you unflinchingly with their piercing golden eyes, and you realise you’re in the presence of a formidable predator.”

    2. One of the most famous residents is the Satin Bowerbird, which nests until February, renowned for its practice of building and decorating a bower to attract females, with bright blue coloured objects.

    3. Brilliantly coloured male Scarlet Honeyeaters migrate southward to East Gippsland in late spring and are scattered over the region following the nectar of Eucalypts and other large forest trees. Black-faced Monarchs are another migrant at this time, typically seen foraging for insects among foliage, or catching flying insects on the wing.

    4. Flowering forest trees are irresistible to a variety of species including  Red and Little Wattlebirds, Eastern Spinebills, New Holland, Yellow-faced, Tawny-crowned, Blue-faced and Crescent Honeyeaters.

    Common summer sightings by bird group

    Bushbirds Emu, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing
    Parrots King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo
    Raptors White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle
    Seabirds Black-faced Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Short-tailed Shearwater
    Songbirds Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Eastern Whipbird, Flame Robins, Grey Shrike Thrush
    Waterbirds & Waders Great Egrets, Royal Spoonbills

    How to find these species

    East Gippsland is a large region of Victoria, so although you will be able to find some of these species on your own as you visit various national parks, the best and most efficient way to tick these off your list is to join an expert tour guide. Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours have been operating in the region since 1993, so they know exactly where to go.

    Suggested tour: East Gippsland Wildlife Journey

    Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
    Departs from: Melbourne

    Venturing across East Gippsland’s magnificent lush rainforests, coastal heathlands, giant eucalypt groves, white sandy beaches and pristine rivers and estuaries, this four day immersive adventure offers you encounters with an incredible array of species.

    Full Itinerary

     

  • Powerful Owl

    March,April,May, East Gippsland

    One of the world’s most amazing songbirds, the Superb Lyrebird, is in full voice at this time. These birds reside in East Gippsland year round but early breeding season brings out their best.  During May, males can be heard singing loudly from specially-constructed dancing mounds used to attract females. Males with complex songs featuring the largest number of mimicked sounds are successful breeders.

    At this time of year it is normal to hear the lyrebird’s perfectly-imitated calls from Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas, Golden Whistlers, Pied Currawongs, Eastern Whipbirds and Laughing Kookaburras, all coming from the same location on the ground.  Patience and a quiet approach will usually reveal a singing, dancing male Lyrebird with it’s remarkable lyre-shaped tail feathers.

    Eastern Yellow Robins, Jacky Winters and Rose Robins can be seen at this time along with the Beautiful Firetail. Dusk and early evening provides the opportunity to see Australia’s largest owl species, the Powerful Owl, which preys upon animals such as possums, gliders and rodents.

    Tours in East Gippsland related to Parrots

  • Shining Bronze Cuckoo

    September,October,November, East Gippsland

    Australia has 12 native cuckoos and East Gippsland is home to six of these, all of which have distinctive songs.  September and October in the forests of East Gippsland can be almost deafening with these calls including the piercing, repetitive whistle of the Shining Bronze Cuckoo, the rising trill of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo, the frenzied feminine squeal of the Brush Cuckoo and the high-pitched ‘chew’ of the Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo.

    The springtime brings out beautiful wildflowers and flowering eucalypts, with Red and Little Wattlebirds, Eastern Spinebills, New Holland, Yellow-faced, Tawny-crowned, Blue-faced and Crescent Honeyeaters particularly active. It is also a peak time to see Eastern Yellow Robins, Scarlet Robins, Jacky Winters and the radiant pink breast of the slender Rose Robin.

    Iridescent parrots are a magnificent sight flying across the lush forests of the region including the King Parrot, Crimson and Eastern Rosellas, Rainbow and Musk Lorikeets, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Galahs and the iconic Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Beautifully coloured songbirds compete for the attention of visitors with the Crested Shrike Tit, Golden Whistler, Red-browed Finch, Beautiful Firetail, Mistletoe bird, Superb Fairy-wren and Spotted Pardalote ever popular. 

    Tours in East Gippsland related to Parrots

  • Black-shouldered Kite

    January,February,December, Eyre Peninsula

    Eyre Peninsula - Summer Sightings by Bird Group

    Bushbirds

    Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo

    Parrots

    Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo  

    Raptors

    Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp HarrierFalcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon

    Seabirds

    Gannets & Boobies: Australasia Gannet | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican

    Songbirds

    Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Blue-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | Whipbirds: Western Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers:  Rufous Treecreeper | Babblers: White-browed Babbler | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow

    Waterbirds & Waders

    Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover, Grey Plover, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron,Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe

    How to find these species

    Guides - Fran Solly v2

    “Summer is the nesting season for Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Dotterels, Red-capped Plovers so we explore several local beaches on the peninsula at this time, whilst keeping a lookout for the migratory Common Greenshank after their enormous flights from the Northern Hemisphere.

    A visit to Big Swamp provides sanctuary for Black Swans, Grey Teal Ducks, Chestnut Teal Ducks, Pink Eared Ducks, Musk Ducks and Black Winged Stilts and at Mikkira and Lincoln National Park, Port Lincoln (Australian Ringneck) Parrots, Common Bronzewings, Striated Pardalotes, Spiney-Cheeked Honeyeaters and White-Browed Scrubwrens abundant. Pallid Cuckoos also migrate to the peninsula over the Summer."

    Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide

    Suggested Tour: Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching

    Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
    Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonally

    Home to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Eyre Peninsula related to Parrots

  • Port Lincoln Parrot

    March,April,May, Eyre Peninsula

    Eyre Peninsula - Autumn/Fall Sightings by Bird Group

    Bushbirds

    Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon

    Parrots Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo
    Raptors Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon
    Seabirds Gannets & Boobies: | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican
    Songbirds

    Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | WhipbirdsWestern Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Bowerbirds:  | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Starlings:  | Treecreepers:  | Friarbirds:  | Flowerpeckers: | Babblers: White-browed Babbler |  White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow

    Waterbirds & Waders

    Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper| Stone Curlews:  | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe

    How to find these species

    Guides - Fran Solly v2

    “A small flock of remnant Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos aggregate post breeding during the Autumn and Port Lincoln (Australian Ringneck) Parrots, Australian Magpies, Galahs, Red Wattlebirds, Black-Faced Cuckoo-shrikes, Masked Lapwings, Western Whistlers and an occasional Scarlet Robin can be seen across Port Lincoln National Park and Mikkira.

    It's always a joy to showcase the rugged cliffs along the Great Australian Bight to view Osprey and White Bellied Sea-Eagles along with other raptors including kites and Swamp Harriers.  In beautiful Memory Cove, birds that may be encountered include Purple-Gaped Honeyeaters, Striated Pardalotes, Spiney-Cheeked Honeyeaters, Dusky Woodswallows, Western Yellow Robins, Blue-breasted Fairy-wrens and White-Browed Scrubwrens.

    Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide

    Suggested Tour: Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching

    Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
    Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonally

    Home to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Eyre Peninsula related to Parrots

  • Musk Duck

    June,July,August, Eyre Peninsula

    Eyre Peninsula - Winter Sightings by Bird Group

    Bushbirds

    Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon

    Parrots Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo
    Raptors Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon
    Seabirds Gannets & Boobies: | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican
    Songbirds

    Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | WhipbirdsWestern Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Bowerbirds:  | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Starlings:  | Treecreepers:  | Friarbirds:  | Flowerpeckers: | Babblers: White-browed Babbler |  White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow

    Waterbirds & Waders

    Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe

    How to find these species

    Guides - Fran Solly v2

    "We take guests out to Big Swamp over this season, to see a wide variety of waterbirds, with many commencing their nesting season. Black Swans, Grey Teal Ducks, Chestnut Teal Ducks, Pink Eared Ducks, Musk Ducks, Black Winged Stilts, Banded Plovers and Cape Barren Geese are all possible encounters.

    Across Coffin Bay National Park, there are active Osprey and White-bellied Sea Eagle nests, with pairs often seen fishing along the cliffs and sandy white beaches.  The area is also home to Caspian Terns, Hooded Plovers, Red Capped Plovers, Red Necked Stints, Golden Whistlers, Masked Lapwings, Emus and Wedge-tailed Eagles.  There is also a chance to see the elusive Southern Emu-Wren and a remnant flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos."

    Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide

    Suggested Tour: Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching

    Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
    Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonally

    Home to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.

    Full Itinerary

     

    Tours in Eyre Peninsula related to Parrots

  • Osprey

    September,October,November, Eyre Peninsula

    Eyre Peninsula - Spring Sightings by Bird Group

    Bushbirds

    Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo

    Parrots

    Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo  

    Raptors

    Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon

    Seabirds

    Gannets & Boobies: Australasia Gannet | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican

    Songbirds

    Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Blue-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill, Weebill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | Whipbirds: Western Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers:  Rufous Treecreeper | Babblers: White-browed Babbler | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow

    Waterbirds & Waders

    Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover, Grey Plover, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron,Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe

    How to find these species

    Guides - Fran Solly v2

    "White-bellied Sea Eagles and Osprey nest along our spectacular coastal cliff habitats and rocky offshore islands, with young typically fledging late in Spring.

    It's an amazing time to spot many of our bushbirds in the national parks, including Striated Pardalotes, Western Yellow Robins, Western Whistlers, White-Browed Babblers, Red Wattlebirds, Black-faced Cuckoo Shrikes, New Holland Honeyeaters, Brown-Headed Honey Eaters along with Port Lincoln and Rock Parrots. We also spend some time looking for some of the rarer species including Scarlet Robins, Diamond Firetails, Southern Emu-wrens and Western Whipbirds and the migratory Wood Sandpiper and Latham's Snipe."

    Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide

    Suggested Tour: Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching

    Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
    Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonally

    Home to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Eyre Peninsula related to Parrots

  • Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

    March,April,May, Kakadu & Arnhem Land

    By the end of the northern tropical summer (locally known as the wet season), native speargrasses have grown up to three metres high, providing delectable seeds for Red-winged Parrots, Double-barred, Star, Crimson and Long-tailed Finches to feed upon. After their migration from southern areas, large flocks of Red-tailed Cockatoos can be heard screeching and flashing their vibrant banded tails over the woodlands as they migrate from southern areas in flocks of up to one hundred birds.

    This is the time that various cuckoos are breeding including the Pheasant Coucal, known to build their nests up to two metres above the ground in low shrubs. White-bellied and Black-faced Cuckoo Shrikes are also prominent at this time, as is the Dollarbird that feeds on insects before making the flight to the islands of New Guinea to spend the winter.

    There are numerous pigeons and doves that are active during the day foraging for seeds including the Bar-shouldered Dove, Peaceful Dove, Pied Imperial Pigeon and the small Diamond Dove.

    Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Parrots

  • Magpie Geese

    June,July,August, Kakadu & Arnhem Land

    Magpie Geese are spread far and wide over the pristine floodplains at this time, having laid their eggs with a typical clutch of 5-14 eggs. Some males mate with two females, all of which raise the young, unlike other polygamous birds. White-bellied Sea Eagles, Brahminy and Whistling Kites target newly hatched chicks from the skies above, with the best opportunity to see their aerial skills at Bamurru Plains on an airboat ride.

    Standing at over a metre tall, the Great Billed Heron is Australia’s largest heron and feeds in shallow water, spearing fish with its long, sharp bill. It will wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. The alluring Azure Kingfisher also waits patiently along the waterways on its fishing missions. Plumed Whistling, Wandering Whistling and Spotted Whistling Ducks all pluck on tropical grasses in between uttering their high pitched whistles. Other waterbirds popular with photographers across the swamps include the Royal Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis, which at the right angle, takes on a beautiful iridescent green and purple gloss.

    Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Parrots

  • Comb-crested Jacana

    September,October,November, Kakadu & Arnhem Land

    As the end of the dry season approaches, the shrinking floodplains bring together a higher concentration of waterbirds, providing excellent opportunities to spot Great Egrets, Royal Spoonbills, Black-winged Stilts and the Black-necked Storks (locally known as the Jabirus) with it’s amazing wingspan of over 2 metres.

    One of the most famous meeting rituals in the bird kingdom is common at this time as Brolgas gather in the wetlands across the region. The courtship dance of the Brolga is an elaborate and majestic event, involving strutting, head-bobbing and bowing, with the mate bowing in return.

    Known by a number of names including the Lotus bird and Jesus bird, the Comb-crested Jacana appears like it can walk on water at a distance, although it is really walking on waterlily pads and plants with it’s extraordinary long toes. The Blue-winged Kookaburra changes its diet with the drier conditions, to eat fish, crayfish, snakes, earthworms and small birds, as family groups defend their territory with great vigour.

    Tours in Kakadu & Arnhem Land related to Parrots

  • January,February,December, Kangaroo Island

    Kangaroo Island - Common summer sightings by bird group

    Bushbirds Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing
    Parrots Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Rock Parrot
    Raptors White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Osprey
    Seabirds Black-faced Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Short-tailed Shearwater, Crested Tern, Caspian Tern
    Songbirds Golden Whistler, Scarlet Robins, Grey Shrike-Thrush, Superb Fairy-wren, Brown Thornbill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill
    Waterbirds & Waders Great Egret, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Royal Spoonbill, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Hooded Plover, Freckled Duck, Black Swan

    How to find these species

    Blair Wickham - Guide - Exceptional Kangaroo Island

    “As natural water catchments dry up in the summer months, the Kangaroo Island's birds tend to congregate around fresh inland lagoons, and coastal marine esturaries, where food and water is more accessible. As Kangaroo Island locals, we have some secret locations where we can rely on encounters with Black Swans, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, Common Greenshanks and Freckled Ducks, to name a few."

    Blair Wickham, Tour Guide

    Suggested tour: Kangaroo Island Birding Tour (Wild About Birds)

    Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
    Type: Private only
    Departs: On request

    This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.

    Full Itinerary

    Hooded Dotterels nest in subtle scrapes with their black, grey and white plumage providing excellent camouflage as they breed on sandy beaches. Large aggregations of waterbirds such as Black Swans and Royal Spoonbills gather on sheltered seagrass meadows such as Pelican Lagoon and Bay of Shoals, often accompanied by shorebirds like Common Greenshank who summer here after breeding in the northern hemisphere.

    Broad beaches like Seal Bay are populated by large flocks of Crested Terns with smart black caps, often accompanied by a couple of massive Caspian Terns, identified by their bright red bills, contrasting the yellow bills of the Crested Terns.

    Summer sees the arrival of birds seeking respite from the hot interior of the outback including the Freckled Duck, Elegant Parrot and occasional Budgerigar. This is also the season for post-breeding flocks of Rock Parrots, with their subtle colours making them inconspicuous as they feed on low coastal vegetation. Resident Crimson Rosellas can be seen feeding on the ground on Arctotheca seeds or Dianella fruit.

    Tours in Kangaroo Island related to Parrots

  • Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

    March,April,May, Kangaroo Island

    Kangaroo Island - Common autumn/fall sightings by bird group

    Bushbirds Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing
    Parrots Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet
    Raptors Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon, Swamp Harrier, Osprey
    Seabirds Australasian Gannet, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, Pacific Gull, Great Crested Tern, Caspian Tern
    Songbirds Superb Fairy-wren, Eastern Spinebill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Brown Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Golden Whistler, Australian Magpie, Grey Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Scarlet Robin
    Waterbirds & Waders

    Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Musk Duck, Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover, Common Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

    How to find these species

    Blair Wickham - Guide - Exceptional Kangaroo Island

    "As the days begin to cool in Autumn/Fall, the endemic and endangered Kangaroo Island Glossy Black-Cockatoos begin selecting their nesting hollows in large Sugar Gums in preparation for their annual breeding season from April to June. Black Swamp in Flinders Chase National Park comes alive with activity as Cape Barron Geese also choose their nesting territories."

    Blair Wickham, Tour Guide

     

    Suggested tour: Kangaroo Island Birding Tour (Wild About Birds)

    Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
    Type: Private only
    Departs: On request

    This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.

    Full Itinerary

    Endangered Glossy Black Cockatoos nest in large hollows in sugar gum and red gums in the north of the Island. Males head out to feed in sheoak woodland, returning late afternoon to feed the incubating females.

    Larger Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos aggregate post breeding (they breed in summer) and flocks of over 100 birds are sometimes seen. When feeding they will post several sentries keeping watch for Wedge-tailed Eagles, with these birds perched in conspicuous locations alerting observers to their presence. A symphony of crunching and cracking accompany their feeding on woody cones of introduced Monterey pines or Banksia.

    Red Wattlebirds are common in coastal mallee and large post-breeding aggregations can be seen foraging in the low coastal heath for nectar and insects. Despite the large group of Acacias known as “wattles” the name of this species comes from the pendulous red skin flaps either side of their face below the eye.

  • Black Swan

    June,July,August, Kangaroo Island

    Kangaroo Island - Common winter sightings by bird group

    Bushbirds Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing
    Parrots Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet
    Raptors Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Osprey
    Seabirds Australasian Gannet, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, Pacific Gull, Great Crested Tern, Caspian Tern
    Songbirds Superb Fairy-wren, Eastern Spinebill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Brown Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Golden Whistler, Australian Magpie, Grey Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Scarlet Robin
    Waterbirds & Waders

    Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Musk Duck, Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover, Ruddy Turnstone

    Suggested tour: Kangaroo Island Birding Tour (Wild About Birds)

    Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
    Type: Private only
    Departs: On request

    This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.

    Full Itinerary

    Welcome rains after a dry summer and autumn spurs birds into nesting. Black Swans pull together large nests and start incubating, with both parents sharing the load of raising the cygnets. In Flinders Chase National Park, Cape Barren Geese nest in native iris tussocks with parents keeping an eye out for predatory Australian Ravens, Wedge-tailed Eagles or Peregrine Falcons waiting to pick off a striped morsel.

    In late winter, the incessant calls of Western Whipbirds in mallee woodlands and dense coastal heaths frustrate the efforts of birdwatchers and photographers who know they are there but rarely get a glimpse. Scarlet Robins sit quietly in sheoak woodland waiting for insect activity and drop to the ground in a flash of red, quickly snapping up a meal. Brilliant colour flashes are not uncommon in this habitat with both Beautiful Firetails and Red-browed Finches found here as well as Striated Pardalotes and the spectacular endemic race of the Crimson Rosella.

    Tours in Kangaroo Island related to Parrots

  • White-eared Honeyeater

    September,October,November, Kangaroo Island

    Kangaroo Island - Common spring sightings by bird group

    Bushbirds Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing
    Parrots Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Rock Parrot
    Raptors Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon, Swamp Harrier, Osprey
    Seabirds Short-tailed Shearwater, Australasian Gannet, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, Pacific Gull, Great Crested Tern, Caspian Tern
    Songbirds Superb Fairy-wren, Eastern Spinebill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Brown Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Golden Whistler, Australian Magpie, Grey Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Scarlet Robin
    Waterbirds & Waders

    Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Musk Duck, Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover, Common Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Short-tailed Shearwater, Ruddy Turnstone

    Suggested tour: Kangaroo Island Birding Tour (Wild About Birds)

    Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
    Type: Private only
    Departs: On request

    This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.

    Full Itinerary

    Spring sees lots of activity with one of the world’s great wildlife migrations occurring just off shore, with the movement of hundreds of thousands of Short-tailed Shearwaters in an endless stream, as they return to breed after an enormous loop through the north Pacific.

    Smaller bush birds like Superb Fairy-wrens breed and the spectacular blue males are a stunning splash of colour. Flowering Eucalypts and Callistemons offer abundant nectar to a diversity of honeyeaters including New Holland, White-eared Honeyeaters and Eastern Spinebills. Nectar feeding parrots including Rainbow Lorikeets and tiny Purple-crowned Lorikeets, compete noisily with honeyeaters.

    Saline and freshwater wetlands are filled with birds with many ducks breeding and often taking their young families to graze on flooded pastures. Chestnut-breasted Shelducks provide strong contrast to the green pastures and Yellow-billed Spoonbills share space with Australian White Ibis. On muddy shores White-headed Stilts step delicately around the water’s edge with their yapping contact calls alerting to their presence.

    Tours in Kangaroo Island related to Parrots

  • Scarlet Robin (Female)

    January,February,December, Maria Island

    Maria Island - Summer Sightings by Bird Group

    Bushbirds

    Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Cuckoos & Coucals: Fan-tailed Cuckoo

    Parrots

    Parrots & Cockatoos: Swift Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Green Rosella, Musk Lorikeet

    Raptors

    Hawks & Eagles: White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle

    Seabirds

    Petrels & Sherwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Buller's Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Gulls & Terns: Crested Tern, Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull

    Songbirds

    Honeyaters: Strong-billed Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow Wattlebird | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens and Thornbills: Tasmanian Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote | Robins: Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin | Cuckoo-Shrikes: Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Satin Flycatcher | Woodswallows, Magpies & Currowongs: Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong, Dusky Woodswallow | White-eyes: Silvereyes | Swallows and Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven

    Waterbirds & Waders

    Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Chestnut Teal | Plovers, Dotterels and Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises and Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret | Oystercatchers: Sooty Oystercatcher, Pied Oystercatcher | Cranes & Relatives: Tasmanian Native Hen

    How to find these species

    Ben Brown Guide

    “The endemic Forty-spotted Pardalote can be seen living in community groups around our wilderness camps, enjoying the flowering White Gums forests. We also keep an eye out for the Black-headed and Strong-billed Honeyeaters around the browntop stringybarks.

    A number of migrants from the mainland can be seen on the island including Swift Parrots, Fan-tailed Cuckoos, Satin Flycatchers, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Tree Martins and Dusky Woodswallows."

    Ben Brown, General Manager Operations

    Suggested Tour: The Maria Island Walk

    Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
    Type: Shared 
    Available: October - late April 

    This four day guided walk across magnificent Maria Island, combines intimate wildlife encounters, fascinating history, pristine white sand beaches, and locally sourced gourmet food.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Maria Island related to Parrots

  • Green Rosella

    March,April,May, Maria Island

    Maria Island - Autumn Sightings by Bird Group

    Bushbirds

    Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Cuckoos & Coucals: Fan-tailed Cuckoo

    Parrots

    Parrots & Cockatoos: Swift Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Green Rosella, Musk Lorikeet

    Raptors

    Hawks & Eagles: White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle

    Seabirds

    Petrels & Sherwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Buller's Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Gulls & Terns: Crested Tern, Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull

    Songbirds

    Honeyaters: Strong-billed Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow Wattlebird | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens and Thornbills: Tasmanian Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote | Robins: Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin | Cuckoo-Shrikes: Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Satin Flycatcher | Woodswallows, Magpies & Currowongs: Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong, Dusky Woodswallow | White-eyes: Silvereyes | Swallows and Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven

    Waterbirds & Waders

    Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Chestnut Teal | Plovers, Dotterels and Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises and Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret | Oystercatchers: Sooty Oystercatcher, Pied Oystercatcher | Cranes & Relatives: Tasmanian Native Hen

    How to find these species

    Ben Brown Guide

    “Residents of the island that can be sighted in the lead up to winter include Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Cape Barren Geese, Tasmanian Native Hens, Green Rosellas, Grey Fantails, Flame Robins, Golden Whistlers, Eastern Spinebills and the Beautiful Firetail. Pacific, Kelp and Silver Gulls, Crested Terns, Little Pied and Great Cormorants and Australian Pelicans are common sights across our white sandy beaches, feeding on small surface fish, squid, crabs, insects and other aquatic prey. One of the largest eagles in the world with wingspan of 2.3m, the Tasmanian subspecies of the Wedge-tailed Eagle are often seen soaring in pairs around the island's peaks."

    Ben Brown, General Manager Operations

    Suggested Tour: The Maria Island Walk

    Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
    Type: Shared

    Available: October - late April 

    This four day guided walk across magnificent Maria Island, combines intimate wildlife encounters, fascinating history, pristine white sand beaches, and locally sourced gourmet food.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Maria Island related to Parrots

  • White-bellied Sea Eagle

    September,October,November, Maria Island

    Maria Island - Spring Sightings by Bird Group

    Bushbirds

    Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Cuckoos & Coucals: Fan-tailed Cuckoo

    Parrots

    Parrots & Cockatoos: Swift Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Green Rosella, Musk Lorikeet

    Raptors

    Hawks & Eagles: White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle

    Seabirds

    Petrels & Sherwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Buller's Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Gulls & Terns: Crested Tern, Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull

    Songbirds

    Honeyaters: Strong-billed Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow Wattlebird | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens and Thornbills: Tasmanian Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote | Robins: Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin | Cuckoo-Shrikes: Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Satin Flycatcher | Woodswallows, Magpies & Currowongs: Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong, Dusky Woodswallow | White-eyes: Silvereyes | Swallows and Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven

    Waterbirds & Waders

    Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Chestnut Teal | Plovers, Dotterels and Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises and Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret | Oystercatchers: Sooty Oystercatcher, Pied Oystercatcher | Cranes & Relatives: Tasmanian Native Hen

    How to find these species

    Ben Brown GuideThe brightly coloured Swift Parrot arrives from the mainlaind in Spring to nest and feed on our beautiful flowering Tasmanian Blue gums. Welcome Swallows, Tree Martins and Dusky Woodswallows also arrive to breed, with Welcome Swallows building mud nests under the verandahs of the convict settlement buildings at Darlington. We also keep an eye out during the walk and boat rides, for White-bellied Sea Eagles and Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagles which fledge at this time.

    Spring is also the time we see the incredible migration of Short-tailed Shearwaters,  with Bass Strait and the south east coast of Tasmania coming alive with 18 million individuals, commonly seen from the cliffs and beaches on the island.

    Ben Brown, General Manager Operations

    Suggested Tour: The Maria Island Walk

    Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
    Type: Shared

    Available: October - late April 

    This four day guided walk across magnificent Maria Island, combines intimate wildlife encounters, fascinating history, pristine white sand beaches, and locally sourced gourmet food.

    Full Itinerary

    Tours in Maria Island related to Parrots

  • Little Penguin

    January,February,December, Tasmania

    Tasmania - Summer Sightings by Bird Group

    Bushbirds

    Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Spotted Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Frogmouths & Nightjars: Tawny Frogmouth

    Parrots

    Parrots & Cockatoos: Green Rosella, Swift Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Long-billed Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blue-winged Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet

    Raptors

    Hawks & Eagles: Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle | Falcons: Brown Falcon, Peregrine Falcon

    Seabirds

    Penguins: Little Penguin | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Petrels & Shearwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull, Silver Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, | Pelicans: Australian Pelican

    Songbirds

    Honeyeaters: Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairywren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Tasmanian Thornbill, Brown Thornbill | Robins: Pink Robin, Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin, Dusky Robin | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Grey Strikethrush, Olive Whistler, Golden Whistler | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers:   | Babblers:  | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin

    Waterbirds & Waders

    Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Maned Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Hardhead, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Far Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe, Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Pacific Golden Plover, Hooded Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Banded Lapwing, Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Royal Spoonbill | Cranes & Relatives: Eurasian Coot, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe

    How to find these species

    Guides - Elise

    “Little Penguins breed along the coastline during the summer months and we get special access to these incredible seabirds at Bicheno. Along our east coast it's also a terrific time to spot nesting shorebirds, with Kelp Gulls, Pacific Gulls, Silver Gulls, Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Dotterels, Crested Terns and Fairy Terns the most commonly sighted.

    A number of migratory waders arrive in Tasmania over the summer months after long journeys from the Arctic Circle including Short-tailed Shearwaters, Eastern Curlews, Curlew Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Red-necked Stints and Common Greenshanks. On our inland tours covering the rainforests and sub-alpine regions, Black Currawongs, Green Rosellas, Olive Whistlers and Pink Robins are target species we often spot with our guests."

    Elise Tardieu, Specialist Guide

    Suggested Tour: 9 Day Western Wilderness & Wildlife Encounter

    Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights
    Type: Private, Shared Departures

    On the east coast, experience a mix of beautiful eucalypt forests, spectacular coastlines, and tranquil bays, including Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula, Bay of Fires and Cataract Gorge. On the west coast, visit incredible alpine regions, the contrasting east and west coastlines, Cradle Mountain National Park, quaint fishermen villages and old mining towns.

    Full Itinerary

     

  • Beautiful Firetail

    March,April,May, Tasmania

    Tasmania - Autumn Sightings by Bird Group

    Bushbirds

    Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Spotted Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Frogmouths & Nightjars: Tawny Frogmouth

    Parrots

    Parrots & Cockatoos: Green Rosella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Long-billed Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blue-winged Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet

    Raptors

    Hawks & Eagles: Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle | Falcons: Brown Falcon, Peregrine Falcon

    Seabirds

    Penguins: Little Penguin | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Petrels & Shearwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull, Silver Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, | Pelicans: Australian Pelican

    Songbirds

    Honeyeaters: Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairywren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Tasmanian Thornbill, Brown Thornbill | Robins: Pink Robin, Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin, Dusky Robin | Whipbirds:  | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Grey Strikethrush, Olive Whistler, Golden Whistler | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers:   | Babblers:  | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin

    Waterbirds & Waders

    Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Maned Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Hardhead, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Far Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe, Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Pacific Golden Plover, Hooded Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Banded Lapwing, Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Royal Spoonbill | Cranes & Relatives: Eurasian Coot, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe

    How to find these species

    Guides - Elise

    “By April, we see millions of Short-tailed Shearwaters leave the Tasmanian coast on their migration flight to the sub-Arctic region around Alaska, along with other migratory waders such as, Ruddy Turnstones, Red-necked Stints, Common Greenshanks and Eastern Curlews also departing at this time.

    Beautiful Firetails can be seen feeding on the ground on various seeds, being most prevalent in coastal areas. Although this species is also located on the mainland, it is most prolific in Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands. Another well known endemic is the Green Rosella, Australia's largest rosella. This beautifully coloured bird occurs throughout a wide range of forest types, from the mountains to the coast."

    Elise Tardieu, Specialist Guide

    Suggested Tour: 9 Day Western Wilderness & Wildlife Encounter

    Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights
    Type: Private, Shared Departures

    On the east coast, experience a mix of beautiful eucalypt forests, spectacular coastlines, and tranquil bays, including Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula, Bay of Fires and Cataract Gorge. On the west coast, visit incredible alpine regions, the contrasting east and west coastlines, Cradle Mountain National Park, quaint fishermen villages and old mining towns.

    Full Itinerary

     

  • Tasmanian Native Hen

    June,July,August, Tasmania

    Tasmania - Winter Sightings by Bird Group

    Bushbirds

    Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Spotted Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Frogmouths & Nightjars: Tawny Frogmouth

    Parrots

    Parrots & Cockatoos: Green Rosella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Long-billed Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blue-winged Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet

    Raptors

    Hawks & Eagles: Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle | Falcons: Brown Falcon, Peregrine Falcon

    Seabirds

    Penguins: Little Penguin | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull, Silver Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, | Pelicans: Australian Pelican

    Songbirds

    Honeyeaters: Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairywren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Tasmanian Thornbill, Brown Thornbill | Robins: Pink Robin, Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin, Dusky Robin | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Grey Strikethrush, Olive Whistler, Golden Whistler | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers:   | Babblers:  | White-eyes: Silvereye

    Waterbirds & Waders

    Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Maned Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Hardhead, Musk Duck | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Hooded Plover,  Banded Lapwing, Masked Lapwing | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Royal Spoonbill | Cranes & Relatives: Eurasian Coot, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe

    How to find these species

    Guides - Elise

    “The winter provides fanstastic access to many of our endemic birds in the woodlands and Eucalypt forests, including Forty-spotted Pardalotes, Green Rosellas, Tasmanian Thornbills, Dusky Robins, Yellow Wattlebirds along with Strong-billed, Yellow-throated and Black-headed Honeyeaters. Native Tasmanian Hens also begin breeding in July with hens laying around five eggs and there racous displays are always a treat for guests.

    Other bushbirds that are popular with visitors at this time include Spotted Pardalotes, Crescent and New Holland Honeyeaters, Brush Bronzewings, Golden Whistlers and Eastern Spinebills and Flame Robins that generally move into lower and more open areas at this time."

    Elise Tardieu, Specialist Guide

    Suggested Tour: 9 Day Western Wilderness & Wildlife Encounter

    Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights
    Type: Private, Shared Departures

    On the east coast, experience a mix of beautiful eucalypt forests, spectacular coastlines, and tranquil bays, including Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula, Bay of Fires and Cataract Gorge. On the west coast, visit incredible alpine regions, the contrasting east and west coastlines, Cradle Mountain National Park, quaint fishermen villages and old mining towns.

    Full Itinerary

  • Pacific Gull

    September,October,November, Tasmania

    Tasmania - Spring Sightings by Bird Group

    Bushbirds

    Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Spotted Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Frogmouths & Nightjars: Tawny Frogmouth

    Parrots

    Parrots & Cockatoos: Green Rosella, Swift Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Long-billed Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blue-winged Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet

    Raptors

    Hawks & Eagles: Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle | Falcons: Brown Falcon, Peregrine Falcon

    Seabirds

    Penguins: Little Penguin | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Petrels & Shearwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull, Silver Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, | Pelicans: Australian Pelican

    Songbirds

    Honeyeaters: Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairywren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Tasmanian Thornbill, Brown Thornbill | Robins: Pink Robin, Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin, Dusky Robin | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Grey Strikethrush, Olive Whistler, Golden Whistler | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers:   | Babblers:  | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin

    Waterbirds & Waders

    Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Maned Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Hardhead, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Far Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe, Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Pacific Golden Plover, Hooded Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Banded Lapwing, Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Royal Spoonbill | Cranes & Relatives: Eurasian Coot, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe

    How to find these species

    Guides - Elise

    “Spring sees a number of migrant birds arrive after their flight from the mainland across Bass Strait. The calls of cuckoos are prevalent, with Fan-tailed, Pallid and Shining Bronze Cuckoos migrating to our isle, and laying their eggs in the nests of Superb Fairy-wrens, Satin Flycatchers and Yellow-rumped Thornbills.

    Welcome Swallows, Tree Martins, Dusky Woodswallows, Striated Pardalotes, Grey Fantails and Silvereyes are other welcome visitors, along with the vividly coloured Swift Parrot that breed at the same time as the flowering of the Tasmanian Blue Gums. Another one of the world's great wildlife migrations occurs between September and April, along Bass Strait and the southeast coast of Tasmania, as the region comes alive with 18 million Short-tailed Shearwaters."

    Elise Tardieu, Specialist Guide

    Suggested Tour: 9 Day Western Wilderness & Wildlife Encounter

    Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights
    Type: Private, Shared Departures

    On the east coast, experience a mix of beautiful eucalypt forests, spectacular coastlines, and tranquil bays, including Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula, Bay of Fires and Cataract Gorge. On the west coast, visit incredible alpine regions, the contrasting east and west coastlines, Cradle Mountain National Park, quaint fishermen villages and old mining towns.

    Full Itinerary