Identification booklet - BirdLife

1 AUSTRALIA birds are in our natureWoodland Birds of south-east AustraliaIdentification booklet 2 Woodland habitats are rich areas supporting a diverse set of bird species. Over 33% of Australia s land bird species are associated with woodland areas. The high profile Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater are just two of these species that depend on woodland booklet aims to help you identify woodland-dependent and common woodland species of south-eastern Australia. Sadly, many of these beautiful species and their habitats are subject to increasing threats. Since European settlement, one-third of Australia s woodlands, and 80% of temperate woodlands, have been cleared, mostly for agriculture. Most woodlands now occur along roadsides and streams, or as remnant patches, which vary in size and quality. The widespread clearing of Australia s woodland areas has resulted in the decline of many woodland bird species.

2 At least one in four woodland birds are currently listed as hope our booklet will inspire you to go and discover woodland birds, and join us in monitoring populations and promoting their conservation. If you would like to volunteer with us and help save woodland birds, visit our website for more us:T (03) 9347 0757E descriptionIdentification tipsThreatened species status from Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (as of November 2015).Guide to keysMaleFemale3 Woodland bird identificationThis booklet includes 104 woodland-dependent and common woodland species of south-eastern Australia. Identification is assisted through key distinguishing features and distribution maps are provided using BirdLife Australia s Atlas are ordered taxonomically, split into 31 groups of similar species making navigation easier.

3 Ten of the major groups are as follows:1. Diurnal raptors (pp. 10-11)Predatory birds, with large talons and sharp hooked Parrots (pp. 13-17)Often colourful with hooked beak and loud raucous Cuckoos (pp. 18-19)Nest parasites of other birds, often with barred Thornbills/Gerygones (pp. 25-30)Small insectivorous birds, foraging on ground or Pardalotes (pp. 31-32)Tiny insectivorous birds, with spots and stubby Honeyeaters (pp. 33-43)With brush tipped tongue, often dull olive-grey with downcurved Cuckoo-shrike/Triller (pp. 46-47)Usually pied plumage with long pointed Whistlers (pp. 48-49)Plain or brightly coloured, with loud Woodswallows (pp. 50-51)Aerial insectivorous feeders, some migrate in large Robins (pp. 54-57)Brightly coloured males, hunting from a low, often vertical region indicates area of interest in temperate south-eastern target area is a combination of Catchment Management Authority and Natural Resource Management regions in south-eastern Australia that contain key woodland habitat.

4 Mapped distribution extends beyond the target area to avoid confusion when using this booklet outside of south-east Australia. 4 CrownEyestripeNapeUpperpartsUndertail covertsFlanksPrimariesBellyChest/BreastB illEyebrowForeheadRumpThe information in this section is to assist with the understanding of key features by which woodland birds are correctly to descriptionsDistribution maps5 Woodland habitatsThis guide links the sorts of birds you are likely to encounter within a variety of woodland habitat types. The main four and their structural elements are woodlandDrought resistant, shrub-dominated eucalypt woodland to 15m tall with an understorey dominated by medium-sized shrubs such as wattles. Includes a range of sedges, grasses, herbs and a number of annuals, but less cover than open grassy grassy woodlandAn open, widespread, eucalypt-dominated woodland to 15m tall.

5 Canopy comprised mostly of Red Gum, ironbarks and box eucalypts. The understorey consists of a few sparse shrubs over a species-rich grassy and herbaceous ground layer, comprising of orchids, lilies and grasses, the dominant often being Kangaroo Grass. 6 Open heathy woodlandEucalypt-dominated low woodland to 10m tall, lacking a secondary tree layer. The understorey comprises a range of shrubs and heaths such as Heath Tea-tree and Austral Grass-tree. Grasses and herbs are sparse. Frequent fire can reduce understorey to a dense cover of eucalypt forestEucalypt forest to 20m tall on fertile soils in areas of relatively high rainfall. Canopy comprised of various eucalypts, including Spotted Gum, ironbarks and stringybarks with banksias, wattles, pea-flowers and tea-trees in the lower strata. Ground cover consists of sparse sedges and habitats7 Woodland habitatsBelow are the five dominant tree species preferred by Regent Honeyeaters and Swift She-oak forests (Regent Honeyeater)

6 Swamp Mahogany forestsSpotted Gum forestsMugga Ironbark woodlandsWhite Box woodlands 8 Distinctive woodle-oo callPigeons and DovesCOMMON BRONZEWING 36cmPhaps chalcopteraPEACEFUL DOVE 24cmGeopelia placidaDiverse habitat typesFeeds on groundWoodland and open forest near water sourceBuff foreheadWings iridescent in sunlightHeavily barredEye-ring, lores, bill and iris all blue-grey9 AUSTRALIAN OWLET-NIGHTJAR 24cmAegotheles cristatusNightjarsWHITE-THROATED NIGHTJAR 35cmEurostopodus mystacalisOpen woodland, forest, heathMost active at dusk and dawnDiverse habitat typesOften heard before seen, eyes do not glow from spotlightGrey brow lineWhiskersLarge eyes 10 Diurnal RaptorsSQUARE-TAILED KITE 55cmLophoictinia isuraBROWN GOSHAWK 55cmAccipiter fasciatusEucalypt woodlandsOften seen gliding with slow wingbeatsDiverse habitat typesConfused with Collared Sparrowhawk, differ in size, eyebrow and tailRufous underpartsLong.

7 Square tipped tailWhiteAdult1st yearBroad rounded wings and long rounded tail11 BROWN FALCON 50cmFalco berigoraDiurnal RaptorsLITTLE EAGLE 55cmHieraaetus morphnoidesDiverse habitat typesAlso has dark morph which can be confused with other raptorsDiverse habitat typesAlso seen in rufous and light colour morphsWhiteGlides with flat wingsLegs fully featheredDark tear marks conspicuous of all colour morphs 12 Ground-dwelling birdsBUSH STONE- curlew 59cmBurhinus grallariusPAINTED BUTTON-QUAIL 16cmTurnix variusOpen woodland with sparse shrubs and leaf litterMost active at night. Camouflaged birds lay flat on the ground during the dayOpen forest, woodland, malleeMay run away, or squat and then fly awayLarge yellow eye and dark eye stripe leading to neckChestnut shoulderWhite spots on face and neck13 GANG-GANG COCKATOO 36cmCallocephalon fimbriatumParrotsGLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO 48cmCalyptorhynchus lathamiForest and woodland with she-oak treesIn flocks of up to ten, quietly feeding on she-oakEucalypt forestsUnmistakable squeaky door call ENDANGERED (KANGAROO ISLAND)Brown headYellow patchesSmall crestFinely fringed, up-curved crest 14 Green undertailParrotsMUSK LORIKEET 23cmGlossopsitta concinnaLITTLE LORIKEET 18cmGlossopsitta pusillaDiverse, where flowering is heavyLarger than Little Lorikeet.

8 Nomadic, in search for nectarOpen forest and woodlandFeeds on nectar, pollen, seeds, berries and fruitsRed extends to ear covertsRed faceOrange undertailBronze nape15 EASTERN ROSELLA 33cmPlatycercus eximiusParrotsSUPERB PARROT 40cmPolytelis swainsoniiRiver-edge forest, woodlands, malleeSeen in small flocksDiverse habitat typesCommon species of farmland and grassy woodlandsVULNERABLEFace with blue tintPink tail edgesWhite cheeksScalloped plumage on back 16 ParrotsSWIFT PARROT 25cmLathamus discolorRED-RUMPED PARROT 30cmPsephotus haematonotusWoodland and forestsOften feeds with other lorikeets, also eats lerpNear water sourcesUsually in pairs or small flocks, often feeding on groundENDANGEREDSee pg. 61 to report sightingsRed underwingRed forehead and throatBlue crownMale with red rumpOlive greenVibrant aqua greenMaroon tail17 Woodland Birds for Biodiversity ProjectParrotsTURQUOISE PARROT 22cmNeophema pulchellaWoodland, open grassland and open forestOften in pairsRed shoulder can vary in widthMay have orange wash on abdomenOnly parrot with all blue face, female with white loresYellow margins to tailBirdLife Australia s Woodland Birds for Biodiversity Project aims to enhance the conservation of threatened and declining woodland birds in the temperate region of south-eastern Australia.

9 This is being achieved by protecting, enhancing and monitoring key parcels of woodland habitat. The high profile Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater are being used as flagships to achieve outcomes that also benefit at least 38 other threatened woodland birds, 18 endangered ecological communities, and numerous threatened flora more information visit: 18 CuckoosHORSFIELD S BRONZE-CUCKOO 16cmChalcites basalisBLACK-EARED CUCKOO 19cmChalcites osculansDiverse habitat types except wet forestPiercing, descending with Shining Bronze-cuckooPrefers dry open habitatUsually solitaryIncomplete barringWhite eyebrowRufousDark streak through eyeCreamy buff with no barringBlack ear CUCKOO 28cmCacomantis flabelliformisCuckoosPALLID CUCKOO 31cmCacomantis pallidusOpen habitatFalcon-like in flight, distinctive callDiverse habitat typesDistinctive musical, trill callDark streak through eyeYellow eye-ringMottled brown and white plumageBuff-cinnamon underpartsGrey upperparts 20 Hawk-OwlsBARKING OWL 44cmNinox connivensSOUTHERN BOOBOOK 35cmNinox boobookOpen habitat typesCalls resemble a barking dog, rup-rup Diverse habitat typesDouble hoot call.

10 Second note lower Bright yellow eyesFaint barringDark patch around eyesFeathered legs21 RAINBOW BEE-EATER 25cmMerops ornatusKingfisher/Bee-eaterSACRED KINGFISHER 21cmTodiramphus sanctusOpen forest, woodland, mangroves, scrublandMigrates to southern states for summer breeding, distinctive callDiverse open habitat typesAustralia s only bee-eater. Migrates to southern states over summerBuff loresAqua to green in colourBuff undersidesFemale with shorter, thicker streamersOrange underwing feathers 22 TreecreepersWHITE-THROATED TREECREEPER leucophaeaBROWN TREECREEPER 18cmClimacteris picumnusWoodland, rainforest and eucalypt forestSpirals trunks upwards to feed, rarely on groundEucalypt forest, woodland, timbered paddocksSpirals trunks upwards to feed, but also on fallen timber and groundFemale with orange spotWhite throatFine rufous linesFine black linesLight brown eyebrowBuff mark on wing23 BowerbirdSPOTTED BOWERBIRD 31cmPtilonorhynchus maculatusWoodlands and other dry habitatsCreates a bower out of sticks to attract femalePink tuft visible in displayThreatened Bird NetworkThe Threatened Bird Network (TBN)