Wild Bird Wednesday 664 - Australian Pelican

The Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) is a huge - and often conspicuous- bird of Australian wetlands.

However, its scientific name does not actually mean a conspicuous pelican!  It actually means a 'spectacled pelican' - with the reference to spectacles coming from the rings of bare skin around the eyes.

With a weight of around 4 to 7 kg and a beak of over 50 cm this is a big bird.  They often gather in groups, and sometimes cooperate in fishing.

While I was photographing these birds I was struck by just how difficult it must be to preen with such a huge beak.  As you can see, a degree of gymnastic flexibility is needed to clean your feathers if you are a pelican!

I have to say that they are wonderful birds to watch.

As ever, to join in with WBW just click the link below.  SM

Wild Bird Wednesday 663 - Cape Barren Goose

The Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) is a species of goose endemic to southern Australia. It is a distinctive large, grey bird that is mostly terrestrial and is not closely related to other living members of the subfamily that contains Geese and Swans.

Its another example of an Australian bird that has gone its own way from an evolutionary point of view - and there is still some work to be done before we fully understand how this bird is related to other geese and swans.  In fact some authorities consider it more closely related to shellducks.  A PhD awaits I suspect.

This species has a bright greenish-yellow patch called a cere on its beak, pinkish legs and black feet -although the feet are hidden by the grass in these images. They weigh anything between 3.7 and 5.2 kg, and it will come as no surprise that they were a popular food bird in the past.  

These birds may be part of the 'small number' that have recently shifted from breeding on small islands off the south coast of Australia to breeding on mainland Victoria. 

As ever, to join in with WBW click on the link below.  cheers  SM

Wild Bird Wednesday 662 - Yellow Billed Spoonbill

The Yellow Billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes) is one of the two species of Sponbills that are found in Australia.

Measuring around 90 cm (35.5 in), the yellow-billed spoonbill has all white plumage, although at times it can look creamy white rather than pure white. The long spoon-shaped bill is about 200mm long and the bare face, legs and feet are all yellow.  Adults have red marking on the beak near the face and darker marking across the lower end of the beak.  Adults also have a black band around the area where the beak joins the face.

Unfortunately, none of these adult features can be seen on this bird as it is a juvenile!

This species is found in a range of wetland habitat and it will come as no surprise that this bird was photographed at the Werribee Sewage Works. 

I like this series of pictures as they show the shape and structure of the beak.

As ever, to join in with WBW, click on the link below.  SM