Broadbill -Birdwatcher's site

Mallee & Desert Bird

(Spinifex Pigeon） © Koji TAGI

　Most parts of Australian Continent is arid or semi-arid wilderness. In the inland Australia, rainfall is less than 100 mm per annum.

Mallee is a types of vegetation, dominated by short eucalyptus trees. Again the precipitation is very limited. 　The dry parts of Australia is called "OUTBACK".

Birds in the outback Australia is well-adapted into the habitat. Spinifex Pigeon, which is well camouflaged with the soil colour, is a very fast runner. While there are few places for them to escape into, they rather run away from the predator.

For the birds in the outback Australia, seaching for their food is a big effort. Black Honeyeater is a nomad in inland Australia for looking for flowers of acacia and eucalyptus. 　They may breed in the short period and disappear quickly after the flowering season. Likely the honeyeater, many birds are strongly nomadic in the outback Australia. Budgerigar, which is famous as a pet, is also a nomad. White-browed (see the photo of "Australian Birds") and Masked Woodswallow form a very large flock. It consists of more than hundred or even thousand individuals for their moving.

So, in the outback Australia, suddenly thousands of birds occur from somewhere and disappear again after a few months.

In the outback Australia,  you may also encounter beautiful jewels.

Mulga Parrot (photo right) is occurs in mallee and mulga in the outback Australia. The male parrot has a very beautiful plumage with entirely shining emerald green with red, yellow and blue patches. White-winged Fairy-wren is a tiny but is very handsome bird. The male often parches on the top of bluebush or saltbush. With the shining blue plumage, the very fast song like a clockwork toy is impressive enough for you.

Similar to the fairy-wren, but more adapted species are grasswrens. In the outback Australia, there are eight (sometimes said nine or ten) grasswrens. They are very fast runner like a small mouse. The brownish streaked birds are however attractive species among OZ birdwatchers while it is always not easy to see them very well.

When you visit Ayers Rock for sight seeing, I recommend you to take your binoculars. There are many wonderful birds which is worthwhile to see.

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