Platycercus elegans flaveolus

April 23, 2005: Murray River, Paringa, South Australia

This was a quick sighting, but the photo I snapped was good enough for the ID. While on the boat before we left the dock, I saw this bird flying into a tree, and took a quick photo of the tree, hoping for the best. This looks like a very beautiful bird, and I saw a second one from the boat, but also a very quick glance as it flew across in front of the boat.

Psephotus haematonotus haematonotus

April 23, 2005: Murray River, Paringa, South Australia

Spotted a pair of these as we drove through Renmark – although I only had a quick glance, I was able to ID these birds based on the red rump on the male. The other bird was very dull-colored in comparison, consistent with a female, or perhaps immature. So far, the only species seen on the trip which I have not managed to photograph. Hopefully I’ll see another and remedy this. 🙂

Glossopsitta concinna

April 22, 2005: Wittunga Botanic Garden, Mitcham, South Australia

I spotted these small parrots flying around and quickly realized they weren’t Rainbow Lorikeets – too small, and too much green. Took a while to get a good look at one of them. They tended to fly very fast and then go into the foliage near the tops of the trees, rather than perching on exposed branches. I did get a couple of good looks, though. Very pretty. I love these wild parrots!

Platycercus elegans melanopterus

April 21, 2005: Kangaroo Island, South Australia

This subspecies is only present on Kangaroo Island, and is larger and darker than birds on the mainland. These photos do not do this bird justice – they are so bright and gorgeous.

Phalacrocorax fuscescens

April 20, 2005: Kangaroo Island, South Australia

I was hoping to spot one of these birds on the island, thinking it would be my last chance to see them on this trip, and I wasn’t disappointed. After looking at a LOT of pied cormorants, I finally spotted at least one of these birds, flying across the bay. Saw a few of these cormorants along the coast, although the larger Pied Cormorants were more abundant.

Cereopsis novaehollandiae novaehollandiae

April 20, 2005: Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Spotted a few of these from the bus – fortunately, they’re big enough and distinctive enough to be able to ID on the fly. Also saw several at the Parndana Wildlife Park. I’m not entirely sure whether they were wild or part of the collection, but they were foraging around in with the kangaroos. Introduced to the island but established, so countable.

Platycercus eximius eximius

April 19, 2005: Flagstaff Hill, Onkaparinga, South Australia

Spotted two of these gorgeous birds in a tree in the yard of one of the homes in Mark and Vicky’s neighborhood.

Platycercus elegans subadelaidae

April 18, 2005: Flagstaff Hill, Onkaparinga, South Australia

First spotted this Crimson Rosella subspecies in the yard of Mark and Vicky’s home.

Cacatua sanguinea

April 18, 2005: Subiaco Park, Subiaco, Western Australia

Spotted from the window of H & D’s home, on our last morning in town. I was happy to see these birds, having missed a flock of some sort of black-cockatoo only a few minutes earlier. The photos aren’t great, and I originally called them Western based on the size of the bill, but in retrospect (and trusting iNaturalist), I think they’re actually Little. Either way, YAY! I love cockatoos.

Spatula rhynchotis

April 17, 2005: Lake Monger Reserve, Western Australia

These are wonderfully colored birds, similar in profile to our NA shoveler, but completely different plumage. Very pretty.

Scientific name

Threskiornis spinicollis

April 17, 2005: Swan Valley, Western Australia

Spotted these birds from the car while we were driving around to visit wineries in Swan Valley (only Kevin and Helen were actually doing any wine tasting). Fortunately, I was able to hop out and get some decent photos. They almost look like the negative of the Sacred Ibis – dark bodies and light-colored necks. Very cool birds.

Falco cenchroides

April 17, 2005: Swan Valley, Western Australia

Spotted this bird while waiting outside one of the wineries. As with the kite, I never got a close look at this bird, but suspected it was a kestrel when it started kiting over the nearby field (from a high altitude). Again, my photos were good enough to make the ID, but I hope to see another at closer range.

Malacorhynchus membranaceus

April 17, 2005: Lake Monger Reserve, Western Australia

A very strange-looking duck. First spotted in a large flock flying out over the lake. Fortunately, later I saw a pair of them closer to shore and was able to get a decent photo. A shoveler, but even stranger in appearance than our North American variety. Sort of cool, though.

Barnardius zonarius semitorquatus

April 15, 2005: Perth, Western Australia

Spotted one of these beautiful birds while driving into King’s Park to have breakfast – a subspecies of the Australian Ringneck. A bit later I saw a couple more up in trees near the road. Very pretty! 

Setonix brachyurus

April 15, 2005: Rottnest Island, Western Australia

The primary reason we’d gone to the island was to see the wildlife: birds, of course, but also a tiny wallaby called the Quokka, which lives on Rottnest Island and almost nowhere else. It didn’t take us long to find our first one, browsing on some low-growing vegetation. So small and adorable! By the end of our visit, we’d seen four of them, including one that was wandering around the cafe where we ate lunch before taking the ferry back to the mainland. I really enjoyed these little friends, and it was well worth the trip to the island to see them.