Search this site

Darwin Birds

Darwin birds such as Brahminy Kites, Black Kites, White Sea Eagles are often seen circling above the suburbs , beaches and creeks, even if they are difficult to photograph.

Here are a couple I've managed to catch and will add others as the opportunity arises.

A brown goshawk shines in the afternoon sun

This eagle performs his egg breaking trick at the Territory Wildlife park, about 45 minutes drive out from Darwin.

Black Kite on powerline - usually they are on the wing, riding thermals.

Black Kites are effective hunters which often congregate around bush fires, feeding on the grasshoppers and other insects which are driven from cover by the flames.

They have been observed to actually start fires by picking up burning sticks and dropping them onto unburnt vegetation.

In the suburbs they also like barbeques, and will snatch a sausage from the hot plate without hesitation, given the chance.

Brahminy Kite

Brahminy Kites seem to be frequent visitors.

It is a bird of the coast, and of the north, particularly around mangrove swamps and estuaries.

Brahminy Kite flying

Torresian Crow - an occasional visitor to the suburbs.

Another visitor to our budgies.

This falcon was caught in the act of investigating our budgies aviary.

My best guess is a Brown Goshawk.

A fleeting glimpse of a pheasant coucal

(right) A pheasant coucal skurries through the undergrowth, it's eye shining in the flash as I try to catch a photo.

This one was beside the bike track behind the University in an area of scrub and grass.

Another visitor - a Black Butcherbird. These birds are quite shy and easily spooked. Thanks to Claire for the ID.

They have the habbit of impaling prey on a broken branch or in a fork to make it easier to tear into smaller pieces - hence the 'butcher' in the name.

Range from Port Keats, across the Top End and tropical coastal Queensland.

Shining Flycatcher

Photographed at Manton Dam this shiny blue bird is about the size of a willie wagtail and is in fact the male Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto).

Willie Wagtail

A Wagtail at Rum Jungle.(right)

Crimson Finches -all red male on right side

These spectacular little birds were snapped in the grass on the Adelaide River floodplain.

Best guess is finches of some sort, but I can't find them in the bird books I have.

Codie has identified these as Crimson Finches - thanks.

All red one is male, the other is female.

There is no mistaking the distinctive pink and grey plumage of a Galah. Often seen on flocks feeding on seeds on the ground or on fruiting trees.

Galah in a tree at Rapid Creek

Bar Shouldered Dove takes a garden shower.

Tawney Frogmouth

If you enjoy a walk on a warm tropical evening there's plenty of nocturnal life to see. This tawney frogmouth was happy to sit for a portrait.

Barking owls can often be heard in the suburbs during the evening and night. Their calls are no competition for the loud wails of curlews or the chortling songs of orange footed scrub fowl.

This owl was happy to allow a close enough approach for a flash lit photo.