Identified with the help of our 4th edition Simpson & Day Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Links are to the Birds in Backyards website because they often have the bird's songs available, which is also helpful in identification.
Welcome Swallow, Hirundo neoxena
We see them around the house and field swooping around catching bugs in the air, and they drink from the dam (pond) while still flying around, scooping up the water as they dive down.
White Winged Chough, Corcorax melanorhamphos
Choughs are great! Their group passes through the garden eating all the bugs they can find, so we tend not to have many pest issues. They make a mess, of course, but their presence is worth it. They're really interesting to watch, especially when there's a young one in the group.
Eastern Rosella, Platycercus eximius
Not very commonly seen, but exciting when we do.
Black shouldered kite,
Wedge-tailed Eagle, Aquila audax
Seen once, huge majestic bird.
Laughing kookaburra, Dacelo novaeguineae
They generally stick to the large eucalyptus trees on the west of the property, but visit the peppercorn trees on occasion, only to be hassled by the resident Willie wagtails.
Willie wagtail, Rhipidura leucophrys
The Willie's own the farm, we just happen to live here. We keep the water filled for them, and in turn they eat lots of flying insects especially moths. They sing day and night, and make their nests around the cottage in the almond, lemon and peppercorn trees.
Pied butcherbird, Cracticus nigrogularis
This is one of the great song birds, and my favourite. Absolutely beautiful!
Black faced cuckoo shrike, Coracina novaehollandiae
Restless flycatcher, Myiagra inquieta
Landing on the fairy lights, the flycatcher enjoys picking off the spiders under the varandah.
Crested pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes
Occasionally coming in for a drink, they LOVE the heat. We've seen one sunning itself in 40°C weather!
White-faced heron, Egretta novaehollandiae
Lovely large bird, stalking it's prey in the grass. Reminds me why we don't want a dog!
Grey-crowned Babbler, Pomatostomus temporalis
Vulnerable species in NSW. Large noisy family groups January 2018. Willy Wagtail doesn't like them.
Galah, Eolophus roseicapillus
Apostlebird, Struthidea cinerea
These birds are characters, and they certainly make a racket when the family group comes through.
Magpie, Cracticus tibicen
Occasionally visits, often attacked by Willie and the Choughs.
Magpie lark, Grallina cyanoleuca
Noisy Miner, Manorina melanocephala
A few family members will venture in to take a drink from Willie's water on a hot day.
Little corella,
Yellow-billed spoonbill, Platalea flavipes
Rufous Whistler, Pachycephala rufiventris
Seen this May 2016 and spotted again being chased off by Willie Wagtail near Willy's nest in the lemon tree, October 2016.
Commonly heard singing Summer 2018
Golden Whistler, Pachycephala pectoralis
Seen this May 2016, not common
Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
We call them little tweeters because of the melodic tweets they make, they're brown with yellow on the underside rump area. They nest in the evergreen vine near the water troughs and are lovely little things to watch and listen to. Sunny winter weather makes them sing in the peppercorn trees. They eat insects on the almond tree branches.
Tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides
Heard it's song from the lounge room and went outside to investigate. There was no moon, and at first I thought it was an owl, staring down at me from the tall post that holds up the plumbing. Pretty exciting!
July 2016
Blue-faced Honeyeater, Entomyzon cyanotis
First seen checking out the garden November 4 2016. Not common. Seen again late August 2018, but still not common. Late October 2018 - skittish and shy, coming in for a drink with the noisy miners.
Grey Shrike-thrush, Colluricincla harmonica
A truly great song bird, it seems to sing a little differently every day.
Straw-necked Ibis, Threskiornis spinicollis.
March 2017 - A pair spotted on the driveway, one had a limp when walking.
Red wattlebird, Anthochaera carunculata
September 2018 - Eating nectar from the almond blossoms.
Noisy Friarbird, Philemon corniculatus
Great call! Arrived August / September 2018.
Grey Fantail,
Lovely little bird, enjoying the water in the garden. Eats flying insects. Active beginning September.
Last updated: October 2018
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