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DIGITAL FIELD GUIDE: BIRD SPECIES COMMONLY FOUND IN THE MOGGILL CREEK CATCHMENT

Most photos in these lists were taken in the catchment and most are the copyright of Ed Frazer. Supporting information is supplied by James Butler.

Tim Siggs has kindly permitted the inclusion of links to videos in his YouTube Australian Bird Video Collection, taken outside the catchment. To view all videos in Tim’s collection, please click here.

Note: blue shaded rows indicate a dimorphic species, breeding and non-breeding or hepatic form

1. WATER BIRDS
                                    BIRD SPECIES WHERE THE BIRD FEEDS FOOD TYPE

RELATED REFERENCES
NOTES
Australasian Darter  ♂
Snake-bird
Under water surface  Fish Feather Fascination February 2018

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

94cm. Fairly common resident. Found in large shallow waters: reservoir and in Moggill Creek in deeper pools where there are fish. Roosts in trees and fences near the water. Another name is ‘snake bird’ because of the long-kinked neck coiled to strike.


Australasian Darter ♀
Snake-bird
Australasian Grebe ⚥
Little Grebe
Water surface and diving underwater Small fish
Freshwater insects
Feather Fascination February 2015

Feather Fascination March 2015

26cm. Common resident. Prefers still, shallow water:  dams not creeks. Walks poorly on land, because its legs are so far back for diving. Can be mistaken for a duckling.
 Australian Pelican ⚥ On and under water surface Fish
Birds
1.9m. Nomadic over large areas in response to climate events. Perhaps only possible site is the Reservoir and Rafting Ground Reserve from which they can be seen flying over the Brisbane River. Feed in large shallow waters.
Australian Wood Duck ♂
Maned Duck or Goose
 Grasslands Grasses
Occasional insects
Feather Fascination April 2018 50cm. Common resident. Not a good swimmer, nests in tree hollows, sometimes far from water. Can be found on grasslands near the riparian habitat.
Australian Wood Duck ♀
Maned Duck or Goose
Black Bittern ⚥ Shallow water Fish
Amphibians
66cm. Resident. Roost and nest in trees, and are found in tree-lined wetlands. Feed during the day and night.
 Black Swan ⚥ Freshwater Underwater and Emergent vegetation 1.4m Nomadic and highly dispersive. Only seen on Gold Creek Reservoir, prefers large open waters.
Buff-banded Rail ⚥
Banded Landrail, Rail 
Ground level, wet grasses Plants
Crustaceans
Insects
Seeds
Fruit
Frogs
Feather Fascination October 2014

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

33cm. Common resident but elusive. Prefers rank vegetation near wetlands, creeks, dams, well-vegetated urban gardens near bushland.
Cattle Egret (Breeding) ⚥ Ground, grassy paddocks Grasshoppers
Insects
Feather Fascination November 2018

Cane Toad Predator in Action - Ed Frazer

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

53cm. Common resident. Prefers grazing paddocks, follows cattle, horses; woodlands, wetlands. Best chance in paddocks with cattle or horses! Looks wonderful in breeding plumage.
Cattle Egret
(Non-breeding) ⚥
Dusky Moorhen ⚥
Waterhen
Freshwater swamps Aquatic plants
Insects
Frogs
40cm. Common resident. Found near water in natural settings – wetlands, reservoir, and dams; and in urban settings ponds, small lakes.
Eastern Great Egret ⚥
Large Egret, White Crane
Shallow water Fish 1m. Nomadic and fairly common, dispersive in response to climate events like droughts and floods. Prefers shallow fresh waters. Can be found at the Reservoir, dams, and wetlands.
Eurasian Coot ⚥ Swimming Aquatic plants
Insects
Frogs
Feather Fascination July 2019 38cm. Nomadic and dispersive. Often in large flocks. Favour large water bodies, shallow enough to have underwater and emergent vegetation. Spend most of their time on the water, mostly away from the bank.
Great Cormorant ⚥
Black Shag,
Big Black Cormorant
Under water surface Fish
Crustaceans
Insects frogs
92cm. Fairly common resident. Favours large bodies of water: Reservoir or very large dams on properties. Is nomadic, moving according to rainfall.
Grey Teal ⚥ Freshwater surface Water plants
Snails
Beetles
Spiders
Seeds
46cm. Nomadic and affected by climate events, may turn up anywhere on fresh water, reservoir and large dams. Mainly inland, retreats to coast in numbers during drought.
Hardhead ♂
White-eyed Duck
Water surface and diving underwater Seeds
Flowers
Grasses
Sedges
Invertebrates
60cm. Nomadic and affected by climate events, dispersive and irruptive. True diving duck, rarely on land. Probably only found on reservoir and bigger, deep dams.
Hardhead ♀
Intermediate Egret ⚥
Plumed Egret
Shallow water Fish 70cm. Nomadic and fairly common, dispersive in response to climate events. Prefers shallow fresh waters. Can be found at Reservoir, dams, wetlands.
Latham's Snipe ⚥
Australian or Japanese Snipe
Shallow water and ground Seeds & plant material
Worms
Spiders
Insects
Molluscs
Centipedes
Feather Fascination January 2015

Feather Fascination September 2015
31cm. Migratory wader, here in summer. They are found in any vegetation around wetlands, in sedges, grasses, lignum, reeds and rushes. Use their long bills to probe the mud. Roost by day, feed at night, mornings and evenings.
Lewin's Rail ⚥
Lewin's Water Rail
Mud layer
wet grasses
Crustaceans
Molluscs
Worms
Insects
Nightlife in the Catchment - Ed Frazer 27cm. Very rare, dispersive. Near Threatened Species (DERM); Significant (BCC). Prefers dense vegetation in wetlands near forests: reservoir, dams, riparian zone. Very elusive and hard to observe, it rarely comes onto open ground. Seen near Reservoir in May 2012.
Little Black Cormorant ⚥
Little Black Shag
 Under water surface Fish 64cm. Common resident. Favours large bodies of water. Only found on Reservoir, not in creeks. Fish form 99% of its diet. It observed on the water it means there are fish in the water.
Little Pied Cormorant ⚥
Shag
Under water surface Crustaceans
Insects
Some fish
64cm. Common resident. Found in shallow waters: reservoir, Moggill Creek, dams, wetlands. Roosts on trees and logs to rest after feeding with wings outstretched to dry them. Roosts at night and nests, communally.
Nankeen Night-Heron ⚥
Rufous Night-Heron
Shallow water Insects
Crustaceans
Fish
Amphibians
Feather Fascination November 2017

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

64cm. Nomadic, in response to rainfall. Feeds at night time, roosts during the day beside water.
Nankeen Night-Heron ⚥
(Juvenile)
Pacific Black Duck ⚥
Black Duck, Brown Duck
Freshwater surface Water plants
Snails
Beetles
Spiders
Seeds
Feather Fascination May 2018 60cm. Common resident. Found on reservoir, dams, creeks, swimming pools, public gardens. Mostly stays on water. Cannot dive, feeds by upending.
Pale vented Bush-hen ⚥ Ground level, wet grasses Aquatic plants
Insects
Frogs
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 28cm. Uncommon resident. Conservation Status: Significant (BCC). Prefers tall grass in riparian zones and wetlands. Difficult to see in the grass, but does enter water and moves along streams, so can be found out in the open. Reservoir is the place.
Plumed Whistling-Duck ⚥ Grasslands Grass YouTube video by Tim Siggs 62cm. Nomadic and dispersive. Night time they fly long distances to feed on grasslands. Day time flocks rest and sleep beside water with other waterfowls.
Purple Swamphen ⚥
Bald Coot,
Eastern Swamphen
Shallow freshwater
grassy wetlands
Soft shoots of water Plants
Frogs
Snails
Feather Fascination April 2019

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

48cm. Fairly common resident. Prefers dense wet tall grasses near water. Not easily seen until it comes out onto open ground. Has adapted to urban landscapes: lakes, parks, playing fields near shelter.
Royal Spoonbill ⚥ Shallow water, less than 40cm; fresh or salt water Freshwater fish
Shrimps in tidal flats
Other crustaceans Insects
Feather Fascination March 2016 80cm. Nomadic, moving with the availability of habitat. Moves to the coast during droughts.
Spotless Crake ⚥ Ground level, wetlands Seeds
Fruit and leaves of Aquatic plants
Worms
Snails
Spiders
Beetles
Nightlife in the Catchment - Ed Frazer

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

21cm. Cryptic resident. Freshwater wetlands with dense margins. More often heard than seen.
White-faced Heron ⚥
Blue Crane
Shallow water Fish Feather Fascination January 2018 70cm. Common resident, locally nomadic. Found in many natural and urban habitats: creeks, wetlands, pools, dams, fishponds. Often seen in flight or near ponds in Moggill creek.
White-necked Heron ⚥
Pacific Heron
Shallow water Fish 1.06m. Locally nomadic and fairly common. Prefers shallow fresh waters. Can be found at Reservoir, dams, wetlands.
Yellow-billed Spoonbill ⚥ Shallow fresh water Freshwater insects and
their larvae
92cm. Nomadic. Freshwater wetlands, dams, lagoons and swamps, and sometimes in dry pastures, but rarely uses saltwater wetlands. It can use much smaller areas of water than the Royal Spoonbill.
Silver Gull
Larus novaehollandae
Ground feeder, scavenger Freshwater insects and
their larvae
Mainly coastal or large water bodies.
Rarely seen in MCCG area - more likely along Brisbane River.

2. LAND BIRDS

BIRD SPECIES
 
WHERE THE BIRD FEEDS
 
FOOD TYPE
RELATED REFERENCES
 
 
NOTES
Australasian Figbird ♂
Green or Yellow Figbird, Banana-Bird
Canopy level Fruit
Other plant parts
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 30cm. Common resident, but nomadic in search of fruiting trees. Very noisy and in large numbers when a big fig tree is fruiting. Found in rainforests, eucalypt forests, riparian zones, backyards near forests. Male has red skin around eye.
Australasian Figbird ♀
Australian Brush-Turkey ⚥
Scrub Turkey
Forest floor Seeds
Grain
Fruit
Invertebrates
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 70cm. Common resident. Males build a large mound to incubate eggs from a number of females with environmental microbial heat. Young dig their way out of the mound and are then on their own with no parental involvement.
Australian Hobby ⚥
Little Falcon
Aerial Birds 35cm. Uncommon visitor maybe driven by climate events. Found in woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and sometimes well-treed urban areas. Very fast, dark-headed falcon; very visible when hunting as it relentlessly pursues other birds.
 Australian King Parrot ♂ Canopy level Seeds
Fruits
Nectar
Flowers
Feather Fascination August 2019 44cm. Common resident, dispersive. Found in all natural habitats and in urban backyards and parks. Moves to wherever there are suitable trees or shrubs with fruits, flowers and seeds.
Australian King Parrot ♀
Australian Magpie ⚥
Black-backed Magpie
Open ground far from cover Ground dwelling invertebrates
Insects
Worms
Feather Fascination April 2016 44cm. Very common resident. Found at the edges of most forests and in clearings. Very common in the suburbs where there is open grasslands for them to feed. Wonderful singer.

© Dale Borgelt
Australian Masked Owl ⚥ Ground level Small mammals
Rodents
Rabbits
Possums
Reptiles
Birds
Insects
Summer Newsletter 2012 55cm. Residents with large territories. Inhabits forests, woodlands, timbered waterways and open country on the fringe of these areas. The main requirements are tall trees with suitable hollows for nesting and roosting and adjacent areas for foraging.
Australian Owlet-Nightjar⚥
Moth Owl
Ground to mid-level foliage at night Nocturnal flying insects
Insects on ground Foliage
Feather Fascination September 2019 24cm. Resident but difficult to detect. Roosts by day in entrance to tree hollow. Found in all habitats: woodlands, forests, riparian zones with suitable trees. Can be found near Reservoir. Very strange looking bird: large eyes and cat’s head!
Australian Pipit ⚥ Ground Insects
Seeds
19cm. Rare in Catchment, but because of their widespread distribution, conspicuous behavioural displays, and their presence in open, often agricultural landscapes and on the sides of roads, pipits are one of the best-recognised small birds.
Australian Reed-Warbler ⚥
Clamorous Reed-Warbler,
Reedbird, Water Sparrow
Reeds in ponds and water courses Insects 17cm. Sedentary while habitat is suitable. Very loud, raucous call.
Australian White Ibis ⚥
Sacred Ibis
Ground level Small vertebrates Insects A Feast Fit for an Ibis - Ed Frazer 76cm. Nomadic and fairly common, dispersive. Forages in wetlands, paddocks, lawns, garbage tips, urban parks and gardens.

Ed's note: Take a close look at this photo! It depicts an Ibis eating a cane toad. Ed Frazer, the photographer, watched the Ibis for about 5 minutes, in which time it made three trips to the dam to wash the toad, presumably to wash off the poisonous secretions. The toad was alive through most of this. The Ibis adjusted the toad's position in its beak all the time - perhaps it was making it secrete poison so it could be washed off. It swallowed the whole thing and then just went on feeding along the edge of the pond. Quite remarkable!

Azure Kingfisher ⚥ Shallow, slow moving or still water Small crustaceans
Aquatic insects
Feather Fascination July 2018

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

19cm. Common resident. Can only be found near water, it is a water kingfisher. It seeks prey from a perch about 1 m above the creek or pond. Usually travels by flying above the water. To find it sit beside Moggill Creek and wait and listen and watch.

Photo courtesy of
Paul Campbell 
Barking Owl ⚥ All levels: canopy level to ground level. Also takes prey from water Small to mid-sized mammals (sugar gliders and bats), birds and insects 45cm. Uncommon resident. Found in forests and woodlands, often along watercourses. Roosts by day in leafy trees by watercourses, sometimes with prey in its talons. Sometimes active and vocal before dark. Unmistakable voice: woof, woof!
Barred Cuckoo-shrike ⚥
Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrike
Canopy Insects Feather Fascination February 2019

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

26cm. Summer breeding migrant. Uncommon. The Reservoir is specified as one of the best place in Brisbane to see it. Note startling yellow eye.
Bar-shouldered Dove ⚥
Pandanus Pigeon
Ground level Grains
Seeds of grasses
Herbs
Sedges
30cm. Common resident. Found in woodland with a grassy understorey and in nearby open areas, usually near water. Best chance near reservoir.
Bell Miner ⚥
Bellbird
Canopy layer Insects
Nectar
Feather Fascination December 2014 19cm. Common resident in suitable habitat. Colonies are stationary, and loudly announce their presence with their constant diurnal calling. They are very cryptic in the canopy, and always on the move. Colonies are on Gap Creek Rd just before parking lot, and near the MCCG cottage on Gold Creek Rd.
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike ⚥
Blue-jay, Shufflewings,
Summerbird
Canopy level Invertebrates
some plant material
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 36cm. Very common summer migrant from Papua New Guinea; but some remain for the winter.  Found in rainforests, eucalypt forests, woodlands and riparian zones. Diagnostically, always shuffles its wings on landing on a branch.
Black-faced Monarch ⚥ Mid layer and canopy level Insects from foliage Feather Fascination October 2017

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

19cm. Common Summer breeding migrant from PNG. Look for it is rainforests and eucalypt forests, it is often in the foliage from the mid-level to the canopy.

Photo courtesy of Jill and Ian Brown - taken outside Moggill Catchment
Black Kite ⚥
Fork-tailed Kite,
Kite Hawk
 Ground level Lizards
Small mammals
Insects, especially grasshoppers
Also a scavenger
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 55cm. Nomadic. Found in a great variety of habitats, from timbered watercourses to open plains. More normally seen in small groups, it may form huge flocks of many thousands of birds, especially during grasshopper plagues. Most numerous species of raptor in the world.
Black-shouldered Kite ⚥ Ground level Rodents
Mice
Grasshoppers
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 38cm. Nomadic: treed grasslands and on farms, along roads, and in vacant waste lands of urban and coastal areas. It prefers to hunt during the day, particularly early morning and late afternoon, often hovering with its wings held upright in a V-shape, before dropping down and grabbing prey with its talons.
Blue-faced Honeyeater ⚥ Arboreal all Arthropods
Nectar
Fruit
Feather Fascination June 2013

Feather Fascination April 2017

32cm. Common resident, more so in suburbs than in the forests. Contests its territories with the Noisy Miners.

Photo courtesy of Tom Tarrant - taken outside Moggill Catchment
Brahminy Kite ⚥
Red-backed Kite
Ground level Fish
Frogs
Rodents
Reptiles
Insects
51cm. Nomadic and rare visitor. Found in open forests near water, riparian zone. Often seen soaring above, distinctive chocolate coloured body, white head.
Brown Cuckoo-Dove ⚥
Brown or Pheasant Pigeon
Canopy layer Fruit
Berries
Seeds
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 43cm. Common & nomadic. Found in rainforest trees carrying fruit. Can be approached when feeding. Moves to wherever trees are fruiting. Has a preference for thickets of wild tobacco. Many near reservoir.

Photo courtesy of Tom Tarrant - taken outside Moggill Catchment
Brown Falcon ⚥ Open grasslands and woodlands Small mammals
Insects
Reptiles
Small birds
50cm. Common resident. Perches on poles and other structures. Swoops down to take prey.
Brown Goshawk ⚥
Australian Goshawk
Aerial, ground level Small mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Large insects
50cm. Common resident. Prefers open forests, woodlands, riparian zones; sometimes in urban parks. Has a distinctive “frowning” facial pattern.
Brown Honeyeater ⚥ All levels of trees and shrubs Nectar
Insects
Feather Fascination March 2019 15cm. Common resident. Found in most forests and woodlands, but has adapted to parks and gardens where its constant call announces it presence. Look for birds in isolated trees in parks and streets.
Brown Quail ⚥
Silver, Swamp Quail
Grasslands Seeds
Green shoots
Insects
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 22cm. Common resident. Not easily seen. Prefers dense grasslands, often on the edges of open forests & wetlands. Best chance is near Reservoir.
Brown Thornbill ⚥ Mid-level, forest understory Insects Feather Fascination July 2018

YouTube video: Brown Thornbill mimics the hawk warning call of a variety of predators to scare off predators threatening its nest

10cm. Very common resident. Always on the move, difficult to study carefully. Lovely call given often and near your ear because of the level at which they feed. Often found in multi-species groups: fantails, whistlers, finches, thornbills.
Brush Cuckoo ⚥ Perches to take prey in flight or on ground Insects, especially hairy caterpillars Feather Fascination January 2013

Feather Fascination January 2016
23cm. Fairly common summer breeding migrant from Papua New Guinea. Prefers rainforests, forests, woodlands, riparian zones. Has a strong call that can be heard often, the bird is harder to see.
Brush Cuckoo (Hepatic) ⚥
Bush Stone-curlew ⚥
Bush Thick-knee, Weeloo, Wilaroo
Ground at night time Insects
Molluscs
Lizards
Seeds
Feather Fascination July 2016

Nightlife in the Catchment - Ed Frazer

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

59cm. Common resident. In the bush, prefer open woodland and forest, in the day roost cryptically amongst leaf litter and dry grasses; in the urban landscape they breed in car parks, grassy parks. At night as they feed they emit eerie calls.
Channel-billed Cuckoo ⚥
Stormbird, Fig Hawk,
Hornbill
Canopy specialist Fruits, particularly native figs
Seeds
Insects
Baby birds
Feather Fascination November 2012

Feather Fascination  December 2012

Feather Fascination January 2013

Feather Fascination January 2016

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

66cm. Common summer migrant cuckoo, down from Papua New Guinea. Calls loudly for much of the day and night. Seeks fruiting trees in rainforests, woodlands, riparian zones, urban parks and streets. Eggs and young cared for by crows, pied currawong. Look for them being chased by crows.
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin ⚥ Ground layer Grass seeds, usually on the stalk rather than from the ground Feather Fascination January 2017

Where did the Bullies go? - Ed Frazer

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

13cm. Locally nomadic. Found in reed beds, long grasses, swamps and mangroves.
Cicadabird ♂ Canopy Insects YouTube video by Tim Siggs 26cm. Summer breeding migrant from PNG. Heard more easily than seen. Male and female are very different colours. Its loud ventriloquistic call resembles the forest cicadas.
Cicadabird ♀
Collared Sparrowhawk ⚥ Aerial Birds 40cm. Fairly common resident. Found in open forests, woodlands, riparian zone. Often seen pursuing its prey in fast flight through forest. Best chances near reservoir.

Photo courtesy of
Mike Ford
Common Bronzewing ⚥ Mostly near ground Grain
Seeds
36cm. Rare visitor mainly due to climate events. Found in open woodland. Very few found in the Catchment. Best chance is in cleared, open landscapes with seeding native grasses.
Common Myna ⚥
Indian Myna, Mynah
All Insects
Food scraps
Fruit
25cm. Feral species, introduced into Melbourne in 1860’s and has extended northwards. Aggressive. Very successful in the urban environment.
Crested Pigeon ⚥
Topknot
Ground Grain
Seeds
Feather Fascination August 2018 34cm. Common resident. Can be found in many parks, in urban landscapes, backyards. Has a specialised feather in its wing that makes a distinctive sound when it takes off.

Photo courtesy of
Jill and Ian Brown
Crested shrike-tit ⚥ Bark Insects
Spiders
Fruits
Seeds
19cm. Fairly common resident. Found in most of the habitats, especially rainforests & eucalypt forests. Tears at the bark noisily in search of insects. Look near the Reservoir.
Dollarbird ⚥ Aerial Insects 30cm. Summer breeding migrant from Papua New Guinea. Prefers rainforests, forests, riparian zones and urban development close to forests. “Dollar” bird because it has two white round splotches on its wings in flight.
Double-barred Finch ⚥
Banded or Black-ringed Finch
Grass layer
shrub layer
Seeds on ground
Insects
Nightlife in the Catchment - Ed Frazer

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

11cm. Fairly common resident, but nomadic in search of seeding grasses. Found on grasslands, parks, paddocks, near water.  Always in a flock and keep moving.
Eastern Koel ♂
Cooee, Rainbird
Canopy specialist Fruit Feather Fascination November 2012

Feather Fascination December 2012

Feather Fascination January 2013

YouTube video by Tim Siggs - male call

YouTube video by Tim Siggs - female calling

46cm. Common summer migrant cuckoo, down from Papua New Guinea. Calls loudly for much of the day. Not easily seen. Seeks fruiting trees in rainforests, woodlands, riparian zones, urban parks and streets. Sexes are strikingly different. Eggs and young cared for by mudlarks and friarbirds.
Eastern Koel ♀
Cooee, Rainbird
Eastern Spinebill ⚥ Shrub layer Nectar
Honeydew
Invertebrates
17cm. Winter altitudinal migrant, from high altitudes to low altitudes. Prefers forests, woodlands and flowering shrubs in gardens near forests. Are numerous in gardens with grevilleas flowering. Best place is near Reservoir or in your own garden if it has winter natives flowering.
Eastern Whipbird ⚥ Low dense shrub layer Invertebrates YouTube video by Tim Siggs

YouTube video by Tim Siggs - calls

31cm. Very common resident, and well known to everyone. The well-known call is a duetting song where the male’s “whip” lash is responded to by the female  with a simple two note call that is uttered so as to appear continuous with the male’s.
Eastern Yellow Robin ⚥ Ground layer Pouncing on insects, spiders and other anthropods Feather Fascination March 2020

Feather Fascination August 2013

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

16cm. Very common resident. Found in eucalypt forests, rainforests, prefers gulleys. Requires small diameter trees, as it perches sideways and drops to the ground on prey. Can be found are Reservoir and gulleys at Gap Creek. Pounces on prey from a low perch, usually on trunk.
Emerald Dove ⚥
Emerald Pigeon,
Green Dove,
Green-Winged Pigeon
Ground under rainforest trees Fallen fruit
Seeds
Feather Fascination October 2019

Feather Fascination May 2019

28cm. Locally nomadic. Unlike other fruit-eating birds, this dove’s gut destroys the seeds that they eat which prohibits seed dispersal. Best chances in rainforests near reservoir, but moves through riparian zones.

Photo courtesy of
Tom Tarrant - taken outside Moggill Catchment
Fairy Martin ⚥
Bottle Swallow
High aerial Flying insects YouTube video by Tim Siggs 13cm. Migratory. Moves north to New Guinea for winter. Colony bird: usually hunts and nests in large flocks.
Fan-tailed Cuckoo ⚥ Perches to take prey in flight or on ground Insects Feather Fascination January 2013

Feather Fascination January 2016

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

27cm. Common resident, partially migratory. Prefers rainforests, forests, woodlands. Best place is around Reservoir. Has a beautiful voice that is often heard. When observed usually flies a few metres and then perches and looks back at observer.
Forest Kingfisher ⚥ Ground level Insects
Worms
Small reptiles
Feather Fascination April 2015

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

23cm. Common summer breeding migrant. Best place to find it is in forest around Reservoir. Prefers woodlands, riparian zones, it is a forest not a water kingfisher, its prey are land animals.
Galah ⚥ Open ground level Seeds
Shoots
Roots
Insects
Flowers
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 38cm. Common resident. Found in open woodlands, riparian zone, urban parks, playing fields, on power lines, fences. Appears to go west in the morning and returns east in the afternoon. Can be seen almost anywhere.

Photo courtesy of
Mike Ford
Glossy Black-Cockatoo ⚥
Casuarina Cockatoo
Canopy layer Very restricted diet of casuarina cones from selected trees 51cm. Resident, but can travel large distances.
Golden-headed Cisticola ⚥
Barleybird, TailorBird
Grass layer
shrub layer
Invertebrates 12cm. Fairly common resident. Found in tall grasses and rushes beside wetlands. Perches to sing from highest stalks. Not difficult to see because they come out of the long grass to sing.
 Golden Whistler ♂ Lower and mid layer of forest Insects
Spiders
Other small arthropods
Some berries
Feather Fascination May 2017

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

19cm. Very common resident, with an influx of others in winter which noticeably increases the numbers and observability. Found in rainforests and Eucalypt forests. Call is a beautiful series of whistles!
 Golden Whistler ♀
Green Catbird ⚥ Canopy Mainly fruits
Figs
Flowers
Insects
Millipedes
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 32cm. Resident in more Western parts. Prefers fruiting and flowering rainforest trees, and large trees in deep gullies. Best place is the wetter, thicker-treed areas around Reservoir.
Grey Butcherbird ⚥
Silver-backed Butcherbird
All levels but mainly ground Insects
Small birds
Lizards
Eggs
Feather Fascination May 2016 30cm. Very common resident. Found at the edges and on the ridges of most forests. Very common in the suburbs. Its dawn calling is spectacular.
 Grey Fantail ⚥ Canopy levels Flying insects Feather Fascination August 2013

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

17cm. Autumn, winter altitudinal migrant. Feeds on flying insects, usually higher in the canopy than the Rufous Fantail. Often found with other small birds in a feeding group.
Grey Goshawk ⚥
White Goshawk
Aerial, ground level Birds
Small mammals
Reptiles
Insects
Feather Fascination November 2019

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

54cm. Common resident. Near Threatened species. Found in open forests, woodlands, riparian zone. Can be very white in colour and is known to mix with flocks of sulphur-crested cockatoos to camouflage itself so it can prey on ducks and stilts.
Grey Shrike-thrush ⚥ Ground level and mid layer Insects
Spiders
Mice
Frogs
Lizards
Birds
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 26cm. Common resident. Searches for food on the ground, generally around fallen logs, and on the limbs and trunks of trees. Best voice in the Eucalypt forest, varied and tonal.
Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo ⚥ Ground level or mid level of trees Insects
Caterpillars
Feather Fascination January 2013

Feather Fascination January 2016

17cm. Uncommon Summer migrant, down from Papua New Guinea or northern Australia. Prefers the open woodland. Not seen at the Reservoir in the last ten years. More often heard than seen, has a lovely repetitive call.
Large-billed Scrubwren ⚥ All layers, but not on forest floor Insects 13cm. Very common resident. Can be found in forests on trees, in foliage, climbing on trunk and branches, moves constantly. Best place is at Reservoir, where it is as common as White-browed Scrubwren but foraging much higher than the latter.
Laughing Kookaburra ⚥
Laughing Jackass
All levels Small animals
Insects
Eggs
47cm. Common resident. Can be found almost everywhere. Each group broadcasts its territory by chorus calling.
Leaden Flycatcher ♂
Blue Flycatcher, Frogbird
Mid level to top of canopy Flying insects
Insects on foliage
Feather Fascination  December 2019 16cm. Summer breeding migrant from PNG and north-east Queensland. Prefers open eucalypt forests and woodlands. When it lands on a branch it flicks its tail in a way that traces out a horizontal figure of eight. Found near Reservoir in forests and in gulleys leading off from Gap Creek Reserve.
Leaden Flycatcher ♀
Blue Flycatcher, Frogbird
Lewin's Honeyeater ⚥ Mid layer and canopy Fruit
Nectar
Insects
Invertebrates
Honeydew
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 22cm. Very common resident. Can be found in most habitats, and comes freely into urban backyards. Most honeyeaters utilize nectar for energy but they all need insects as a source of protein. The Lewin’s call is the most common forest bird call in the Catchment.
Little Bronze-Cuckoo ⚥ All levels Caterpillars
Beetles
Flies
Ants
Feather Fascination January 2013

Feather Fascination January 2016

15cm. Spring, Summer migrant. Eggs and young cared for by gerygones. Prefer dryer open forests and woodlands.
Little Corella ⚥ Ground level Grains
Grass seeds
Bulbs
Roots
39cm. Sedentary and nomadic. Very common, very widespread. All types of habitats across the width of Australia. Form large flocks. Need water every day.
Little Eagle ⚥ Ground, shrub and canopy levels Rabbits
Other live mammals
Insects
55cm. Adult birds are mainly sedentary, while the young birds disperse. It tends to inhabit open woodland, grassland and arid regions, shunning dense forest. Forages on the wing or from a high exposed perch.
Little Friarbird ⚥ Canopy layer Nectar
Honeydew
Invertebrates
29cm. Uncommon resident. Nomadic in search of blossoms, calls often as it feeds.
Little Grassbird ⚥ Ground layer
shrub layer
Insects
Spiders
Other anthropods
Nightlife in the Catchment - Ed Frazer 15cm. Nomadic to sedentary. Locally common.  Found in swamps and marshes, preferring thick reed beds. Vegetation on drains in Catchment.
Little Lorikeet ⚥ Canopy layer Flowers
Fruit
16cm. Common resident, much less obvious than the Rainbow and Scaly Lorikeets. Call is very high pitch. Found in most forest habitats and has adapted to urban treed landscapes.
Little Shrike-thrush ⚥
Rufous Strike-thrush
Ground level and mid layer Inspects
Spiders
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 19cm. Common resident. Prefers the wetter forests: rainforests, Eucalypt forest, riparian zones with dense foliage. Wonderful voice. When observed it does not flee.

Photo courtesy of
Chris Read
Long-billed Corella ⚥ Ground level Grass seeds
Grain crops
Bulbs and roots
Insects
41cm. Adults sedentary, young dispersive. Grasslands and grassy woodlands. Much less common than the Little Corella. Has a “red slash” across the throat.
Magpie-lark ⚥
Mudlark, Peewee, Pewit
Open ground far from cover Invertebrates
Seeds
Small vertebrates
Feather Fascination January 2013 30cm. Very common resident. Can be found wherever there are trees near water, and mud to make the nest.
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo ⚥
Pink Cockatoo
Open ground level Seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants
Fruit
Roots
Bulbs
Insects
40cm. Resident. Nest in hollow trees. Open forests. (The individuals present in the Catchment are certainly the descendants of escapees. But the present flock is at least 20 years old and has been resident for that period.)

Photo courtesy of
Tom Tarrant - taken outside Moggill Catchment
Marbled Frogmouth ⚥
Plumed frogmouth
Ground level Nocturnal insects 48cm. Resident. Found in deep, wet, gulleys in lowland wet forests. Roosts during the day, hunting and feeding at night. Hunt from low perches, stumps of low branches.
Masked Lapwing ⚥
Masked Plover,
Spurwinged Plover
Open ground level Invertebrates Feather Fascination June 2017 38cm. Very common resident in open bushland, edges of reservoir and dams, and in urban parks, playing fields, etc. Can be seen, and heard, almost anywhere. Known to swoop people who come too close during the breeding season, they lay eggs on bare ground.
Mistletoebird ♂
Mistletoe Flowerpecker
Canopy level Mistletoe fruit
Nectar
Feather Fascination April 2020

Under the Mistletoe - Ed Frazer

11cm. Common resident. Nomadic in search for fruit. Found in any forest that supports the mistletoe plant. Digests the fleshy outer fruit parts and excretes the sticky seeds onto branches. Look in the canopy when mistletoe fruiting, revealed by call.
Mistletoebird ♀

Photo courtesy of
Mike Ford
Musk Lorikeet ⚥ Canopy layer Flowers
Fruit
23cm. Drought induced visitor, uncommon, nomadic, dispersive. Was last seen in great numbers in the Catchment in the 2009 drought, which brought them from the drier forests they prefer to the moister coast.
Noisy Friarbird ⚥
Leatherhead
Canopy layer Nectar
Honeydew
Eggs
Baby birds
Invertebrates
Feather Fascination August 2017 35cm. Common resident. Nomadic in search of forest blossoms. As it name implies it is very noisy wherever it is and its movements can be easily tracked.
Noisy Miner ⚥
Mickey, Soldierbird
All layers Nectar
Honeydew
Invertebrates
Feather Fascination October 2016 27cm. Common resident in urban settings, in narrow riparian zones, and on the edges of forests. Their aggressive behaviour towards small woodland birds is well known. They will usually only share their territory with the large black and white birds: magpies, butcherbirds, currawongs.
Noisy Pitta ⚥
Buff-breasted Pitta
Forest floor Insects
Woodlice
Worms
Snails
Berries
Fruit
Nightlife in the Catchment - Ed Frazer

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

21cm. Common resident, but not easily seen. Prefers wetter, darker rainforest and wet eucalypt forest floors. Most recent reports are from around the Reservoir. If found, it allows careful observation as it feeds in litter.
Olive-backed Oriole ⚥ Canopy Fruit
Insects
Seeds
Nectar
Feather Fascination September 2016

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

28cm. Very common resident. Found in rainforests, eucalypt forests and woodlands and riparian zones. Calls often in breeding season. Can be found with figbirds on fruiting trees. Very strong mimic. Bill is bright red. Usually alone.
Oriental Cuckoo ⚥ Grass level, trunk, low branches Hairy caterpillars Feather Fascination January 2013

Feather Fascination January 2016

33cm. Very rare summer non-breeding migrant, breeds in and north of Japan. Prefers rainforests, forests and riparian zone.
Oriental Cuckoo ⚥
(Hepatic)
Pacific Barn Owl ⚥
Screech Owl, White Owl
Ground level Small mammals, mainly rodents and birds
Some insects
Frogs
Lizards
40cm. Nomadic. Open woodlands, grasslands; farms; towns. Very uncommon in the Catchment.
Pacific Baza ⚥
Crested Hawk
Canopy and aerial Stick insects
Frogs
Grubs
Reptiles
Small mice
Feather Fascination April 2013

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

45cm. Common breeding resident. Only hawk found in well-treed urban areas. Otherwise in open forests, woodlands, riparian zones. Can be found throughout the Catchment; lovely to watch feeding dismembered stick insects to young.
Painted Button-quail ⚥ Leaf-littered ground level Seeds
Fruit
Insects
19cm. Fairly common resident. Prefer open, dry woodland with fallen timber on the ground. Foraging leaves platelets, which indicates their presence. Are seen more readily than the previous button-quail.
Pale-headed Rosella ⚥ All layers, ground to canopy Seeds
Fruit
Grasses
Flowers
Herbs
Berries
Nectar
Insects
Feather Fascination October 2015 32cm. Common resident. Prefers open habitats, grasslands and woodlands, but can be found in forest. Has adapted to urban settings and can be found in grassy reserves, clearings, orchards.
Paradise Riflebird ⚥
Female or juvenile male
Forest floor to high in the canopy On trunks and branches for insects, spiders and centipedes
Fruit
30cm. Rare visitor: found in subtropical and temperate rainforests, mostly in mountains and foothills, and adjoining wetter eucalypt forests, like the west of the Catchment.
Peaceful Dove ⚥ Ground level Small grass seeds sedges
Small insects
21cm. Common resident. They need to drink at least twice a day, so prefer woodlands near water, riparian habitats, parks and gardens, Reservoir. Has a call that is very distinctive and very loud, and often used.
Peregrine Falcon ⚥
Black-cheeked Falcon
Aerial Birds,:pigeons and ducks 47cm. Uncommon visitor maybe driven by climate events. Prefers cliffs and gorges, steep terrain, which it even finds in the middle of Brisbane on tall buildings. Famous throughout the world for its speed and power, and general all round magnificence.
Pheasant Coucal ⚥
(Non Breeding)
Cane Pheasant,
Swamp Pheasant
Ground and lower layers of trees Insects
Small vertebrates
Lizards
Birds
A Very Pheasant Christmas - Ed Frazer 70cm. Common resident, well adapted to the urban landscape, visiting house backyards, crossing roads, wandering across lawns; also, found in the Catchment forests, and around the reservoir.
Pheasant Coucal ⚥
(Breeding)
Pied Butcherbird ⚥ All levels but mainly ground Small reptiles
Frogs and birds large Insects
36cm. Very common resident. Found at the edges and on the ridges of most forests. Very common in the suburbs. Its dawn calling is spectacular.
Pied Currawong ⚥ All layers of forest and on the ground Fruit
Vertebrates
Invertebrates
Feather Fascination October 2016

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

50cm. Very common resident. In most forests and in urban settings: parks, picnic grounds, reserves.

Photo courtesy of
Chris Read
Powerful Owl ⚥ Canopy level Ringtail Possum
Great Glider
Tawny Frogmouths Cockatoos
Feather Fascination May 2020

YouTube video by Tim Siggs -regurgitating a pellet

66cm. Fairly common resident. Vulnerable species in Queensland. Wonderfully loud call can be heard at night. Roost cryptically in day often with prey in its talons; but can be revealed by alarm calls of small birds. Prefers forested gullies and ridges, hilly woodlands but also city parks. Australia’s largest owl: 66cm high.
Rainbow Bee-eater ⚥
Rainbow Bird
Aerial Flying insects
Bees and wasps
Dragonflies
Beetles
Butterflies
Feather Fascination December 2013

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

28cm. Fairly common dispersive resident. Prefers open woodland habitats; needs open ground suitable for burrows in which to nest. Can be seen in large flocks feeding on the wing calling in a wonderful chorus. “Rainbow” because of it multi-coloured feathering.
Rainbow Lorikeet ⚥ Canopy layer Nectar
Pollen
Fruit
Seeds
Feather Fascination June 2014 32cm. Very common resident but nomadic in search of flowering eucalypts. Can be seen and heard almost everywhere at any time. Has adapted to the urban landscape, congregating in the evening on certain street trees, making a racket!
Red-backed Fairy-wren ♂ Open grassland layer Insects
Seeds
Feather Fascination February 2013

Feather Fascination April 2014

Feather Fascination May 2014

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

13cm. Common resident. Require tall grass. They spend most of the cooler parts of their day foraging in grass 60%; then preening/loafing in thorny shrub 17%; then being vigilant in trees 14%. Smallest Fairy-wren.
Red-backed Fairy-wren ♀
And young males
Red-browed Finch ⚥ Ground and shrub layer Seeds
Insects
Feather Fascination March 2013

Nightlife in the Catchment - Ed Frazer

video by Tim Siggs

12cm. Common resident. Found in groups in open forests gulleys, moving rapidly through the shrub layer. Wings made an audible noise when they take flight. The male courts female with a large (12cm) green grass stalk held horizontally in his beak.
Red-capped Robin ♂ Visually scanning from a perch, it darts out and back to take prey from the ground, off a tree trunk, leaf or branch Insects
Spiders
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 12cm. Irregular visitor to the Catchment, probably driven by climate events. Main distribution is West of the Great Divide, extending over to WA. First seen and photographed in the Catchment in September 2017. Only the male has the unmistakable "red-cap"; the female is mostly brown. Smallest of the three "red" robins that can be found in Brisbane. Its habitat includes drier scrubs and woodlands, It does not visit gardens so its distribution has been modified by urbanisation.

Image courtesy of Tom Tarrant - not taken in the Moggill Catchment 
 Red-capped Robin ♀

Image courtesy of Chris Reid - not taken in the Moggill Catchment
Regent Bowerbird ♂ Canopy Fruit
Berries
Insects
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 30cm. Resident in more Western parts. Prefers fruiting and flowering rainforest trees, and large trees in deep gullies. Best place is the wetter, thicker treed areas around Reservoir. Feeds on wild tobacco fruit.
Regent Bowerbird ♀
Juvenile male or female
Restless Flycatcher ⚥
Scissors Grinder,
Dish Washer
Mid-level canopy Flying insects
Spiders
Centipedes
Feather Fascination December 2016 22cm. Uncommon resident, partly nomadic. Reveals itself with its famous “Scissors Grinder” call. Found in open Eucalypt forests and woodlands.
 Rose Robin ♂ Low to mid layer Insects YouTube video by Tim Siggs - Rose Robin calling 13cm. Fairly common winter migrant. Found in gulleys in rainforests and eucalypt forests and in riparian zones. Can be found at Reservoir and in gulleys off clearing at Gap Creek Reserve.
Rose Robin ♀
Rose-Crowned Fruit Dove ⚥
Red-Crowned Fruit Dove
Canopy level Fruits
Insects
Feather Fascination March 2017

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

25cm. Nomadic and dispersive in search of food trees. Feeds on fruiting trees in rainforests, adjacent eucalypt forests & woodlands. Look near Reservoir.
Rufous Fantail ⚥ Low to mid layer Insects YouTube video by Tim Siggs Summer breeding altitudinal migrant. Goes back to the hills in winter, and as it leaves, the Grey Fantails arrive.
Rufous Songlark ⚥ Ground layer Insects
Spiders
Other arthropods
17cm. Favours open grassland, grassy open woodland, and farmed land.
Rufous Whistler ♂ Canopy layer Arthropods YouTube video by Tim Siggs

YouTube video by Tim Siggs - singing

18cm. Very common resident. Found in open Eucalypt forests and woodlands. More often on ridges.
Rufous Whistler ♀
Russet-tailed Thrush ⚥ Ground, forest floor Insects Nightlife in the Catchment - Ed Frazer 27cm. Uncommon resident. Found on floor of rainforests, eucalypt forests with leaf-litter and debris on the floor. Cryptically coloured to be very hard to detect in leaf-litter. Best chance is around reservoir in closed forests.
Sacred Kingfisher ⚥ Aerial and ground layer Lizards
Frogs
Worms
Beetles
Bugs
Spiders
Grasshoppers
Feather Fascination April 2015

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

23cm. Common summer breeding migrant, but some remain for the winter. Can be found in forest around Reservoir, but also other forest habitats on ridges. Prefers woodlands, riparian zones, it is a forest not a water kingfisher, its prey are land animals.

Photo courtesy of
Mike Ford - taken outside Moggill Catchment
Satin Bowerbird ♂ Canopy Fruits
Insects
Feather Fascination July 2013

Feather Fascination February 2016

YouTube video by Tim Siggs - male bird calling

YouTube video by Tim Siggs - female bird plumage

32cm. Common resident. The male bowerbird is solitary and builds famous bower with blue decorations. Only female builds nest, incubates eggs & raises young.  Best chances near reservoir, prefers rainforest.
Satin Bowerbird ♀
Juvenile male or female
Scaly-Breasted Lorikeet ⚥ Canopy layer Nectar
Pollen
Fruit
Seeds
Feather Fascination June 2014 24cm. Very common resident but nomadic in search of flowering eucalypts. Less obvious and fewer in number to the Rainbow Lorikeet, and less comfortable in the urban setting.
Scarlet Honeyeater ♂ Canopy layer Nectar
Honeydew
Invertebrates
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 11cm. Very common resident, with some increased migration in Spring. Found in big numbers high in the canopy feeding on eucalypt flowers. Often revealed by their calls.
Scarlet Honeyeater ♀
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo ⚥ All levels Caterpillars
Beetles
Flies
Ants
Feather Fascination January 2013

Feather Fascination January 2016
18cm. Common Summer migrant, down from Papua New Guinea or northern Australia; a few remain here as well. Eggs and young cared for by thornbills, wrens and flycatchers. Prefer rainforest, open forest, gardens.
Silvereye ⚥
White-eye, Waxeye,
Grape-eater
All layers mainly high in canopy Insects
Jumping spiders
Fruit
Feather Fascination August 2013

Feather Fascination August 2015

YouTube video by Tim Siggs - Silvereye singing

13cm. Very common resident, but nomadic. Found in most forests and in suburban trees. Usually in a flock, and travel quickly through the canopy of the forest, calling often.

Image courtesy of
Paul Campbell
Southern Boobook ⚥
Mopoke, Morepork
Ground level Small birds
Rats
Mice
Moths
Grasshoppers
36cm. Common resident, easily heard at night almost anywhere, but difficult to see when it roosts in daytime. Its roost can be revealed by alarm calls of small birds. Can be found in forests, but also in urban settings. Quite a small owl.
Spangled Drongo ⚥ Aerial sallying and canopy layer Grubs
Fying insects
Fruit
Nectar
32cm. Common summer breeding migrant, wintering in PNG. Some stay for winter. Found in rainforests and Eucalypt forests. Very noisy birds, calling often, mimic.
Speckled Warbler ⚥ Ground level, grasses Insects
Seeds
13cm. Rare resident. Look for them on the ground, usually in pairs. In the Catchment, they prefer the drier ridges with grasses and rocks under the forest trees.
Spectacled Monarch ⚥ Lower and mid layers Insects below the canopy in foliage, tree trunks 16cm. Common summer breeding migrant from north-eastern Queensland. Can be found in mid-layers of rainforests and gulleys in Eucalypt forests.
Spotted Pardalote ⚥
Diamond Bird
Canopy layer
leaf gleaners
Insects, especially psyllids
sugary exudates from leaves
Feather Fascination August 2013

Feather Fascination July 2014

YouTube video by Tim Siggs - bird calling

10cm. Common resident with some winter migration that boosts numbers. Pardalotes are more common where trees are mature. Call is strong and distinctive and often heard in the forest.

Photo courtesy of Tom Tarrant - taken outside Moggill Catchment
Spotted Quail-thrush ⚥ Ground layer Invertebrates in leaf litter 28cm. Rare Resident, hard to detect. On the ground it is cryptic; it flushes readily and has a wide range of highly audible calls.
 Spotted Turtle Dove ⚥
Turtle Dove, Spotted Dove 
Ground layer Seeds
Grains
32cm. Common resident. Feral species. Found in urbanised landscapes: streets, parks, gardens and open woodlands. Introduced in 1860’s.
Square-tailed Kite ⚥ Outer edges at canopy level Birds, especially honeyeaters
Insects
56cm. Uncommon resident. Near threatened species. Prefers tall trees in woodlands, open forests and riparian zone. Difficult to find.
Straw-necked Ibis ⚥ Ground level Small vertebrates
Insects
76cm. Nomadic and common, dispersive. Forages in wetlands, paddocks, woodlands, lawns, garbage tips, urban parks and gardens.
Striated Pardalote ⚥
Pickwick, Wittachew,
Chip-Chip
Canopy layer
Leaf gleaners
Insects and their larvae Feather Fascination August 2013

Feather Fascination September 2017

Birds in Tunnels - Ed Frazer

YouTube video by Tim Siggs - bird calling

12cm. Common resident with some winter migration that boosts numbers. Striated more common than Spotted Pardalote. Call is very common in urban areas as they are not dislodged by Noisy Miners. Difficult to see birds as they are small & high in canopy, and fly from canopy to canopy.

Photo courtesy of Tom Tarrant - taken outside Moggill Catchment
Striated Thornbill ⚥ Canopy Insects 10cm. Common resident. Prefers wetter eucalypt forests and woodlands. Best chance near Reservoir.
Striped Honeyeater ⚥ Canopy layer Nectar
Honeydew
Invertebrates
Feather Fascination January 2019 23cm. Fairly common resident. Prefers drier forest habitats. Often found in parties that call regularly which can lead you to them.
Sulphur-Crested
Cockatoo ⚥
White Cockatoo
All levels, ground to canopy Seeds of native trees Pinecones
Seeds of ground plants
Insects
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 51cm. Common resident. Can be seen and heard almost everywhere at any time.  Locally nomadic in search of seeding trees and seeding grasses.
Superb Fairy-wren ♂
Blue Wren, Jenny Wren
Open ground around trees and shrubs Insects
Seeds
Feather Fascination April 2014

Feather Fascination May 2014

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

14cm. Resident. Least common of the three fairy wrens. Prefers dense low cover in most habitats, including urban habitats: parks, reserves, gardens.
Superb Fairy-wren ♀
Superb Fruit-dove ♂
Purple-Crowned Fruit Dove
Canopy level Fruits
Berries
Feather Fascination March 2017 24cm. Very rare nomadic visitor, first photographed in 2017. Feeds on fruiting trees mainly in rainforests, adjacent Eucalypt forests and riparian habitats.

Photo courtesy of
Tom Tarrant - taken outside Moggill Catchment
Swift Parrot ⚥ Outer canopy Nectar from flowering Eucalypts 26cm. Uncommon winter migrant. All birds return to Tasmania to breed in Spring/Summer. They return to the mainland in Winter. The Catchment is one of the furthest points they travel North. Its size is similar to the more common Scaly-breasted Lorikeet.
Tawny Frogmouth ⚥
Frogmouth Owl, Morepork
Ground level Nocturnal insects
Worms
Snails
Reptiles
Frogs
Feather Fascination June 2019 50cm. Common resident. Found in open forests, woodlands, riparian zones, especially near tracks, clearings, urban spaces, houses. Roost cryptically during the day; call frequently, repetitively during the night.
Tawny Grassbird ⚥ Grass layer
shrub layer
Insects 19cm. Uncommon resident. Requires tall grass.  Best chance in grasslands around reservoir. They perch on grass and sing. Longer tails than Cisticola. Not as dependent on water nearby.
Topknot Pigeon ⚥
(Flock)
Canopy level Fruits Feather Fascination August 2018 46cm. Nomadic, moves in response to climate events. Goes where there is available rainforest fruit. Often in large flocks flying high over forest. Came in large numbers to MCC in 2009 as great drought brought them nearer the coast.
Topknot Pigeon ⚥
Torresian Crow ⚥ Ground layer Eat almost anything seed
Insects
Pet foods
Human food scraps
53cm. Common resident. Can be seen almost anywhere.
Tree Martin ⚥
Tree Swallow
Aerial Flying insects 14cm. Fairly common resident. Nests in tree hollows. Can be seen hawking in the sky. Groups sit on power lines and fences in open country and urban areas.
Varied Sittella ⚥
Barkpecker, Tree Runner
Bark of high branches in canopy Invertebrates Feather Fascination July 2017 13cm. Fairly common resident but nomadic. They glean from tree trunks or branches, moving downwards on trunks and along the topside or underside of branches. Usually in groups. Best spot is forest near reservoir. Have strikingly yellow legs. Very distinctive body shape that makes identification easier.
Varied Triller ⚥ Canopy layer Fruit
Seeds
Insects
18cm. Common resident. Found in open forests and woodlands and riparian zones. Best chances near Reservoir. Its call is a ‘trill’.
Variegated Fairy-wren ♂
And ♀ in photo
Shrub layer Insects
A small amount of seeds
Feather Fascination April 201

Feather Fascination May 2014

Feather Fascination October 2016

15cm. Very common resident. The birds feed around the base of small shrubs, and seldom stray into the open. Found in forests and in urban settings. Always on the move through the vegetation.
Wedge-tailed Eagle ⚥
Eaglehawk
Ground level Vertebrates
Rabbits
Hares
Feather Fascination January 2014

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

1.1m. Common resident. Found in steep terrain, on tallest tree. Can be seen high in sky from most parts of Catchment and breeds in the Catchment. Hunts in woodlands and grasslands.
Welcome Swallow ⚥
Australian or House Swallow
Aerial Flying insects Feather Fascination December 2015

YouTube video by Tim Siggs - bird in the rain

15cm. Common resident. Usually in flocks, found easily in the sky hawking insects, or over mown grass on playing fields, or perched on power lines.
Whistling Kite ⚥ Ground level Mammals
Birds
Fish
Reptiles
Insects
60cm. Nomadic and a rare visitor. Found in open forests near water, riparian zone. Often seen soaring high above, searching for food. Often makes distinctive whistling call while it is hunting.
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike ⚥
Little Cuckoo-shrike, White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike
Canopy level Invertebrates
Some plant material
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 28cm. Common Resident but nomadic. Found in most habitats. Best around Reservoir.
White-bellied Sea-Eagle ⚥
White Breasted Sea-Eagle
Water surface level Fish
Turtles
Sea snakes
Birds
90cm. Common resident but dispersive over its large territory. Reservoir is only area of water that can support their feeding behaviour. Can be found near the sea or large inland bodies of fresh water. Excellent flier for its size, brilliant hunter.

Photo courtesy of Tom Tarrant - taken outside Moggill Catchment
White-breasted Woodswallow ⚥ Aerial Flying insects YouTube video by Tim Siggs 18cm. Nomadic. Found most easily at Kenmore Village on the power lines, it has nested in that area during the summer.
White-browed Scrubwren⚥
Spotted Scrubwren
Dense scrub layer just above ground Invertebrates
Some seeds and fruits
Feather Fascination September 2018 13cm. Very common resident. Found in dense vegetation within two metres of the ground in forests, riparian zones, and in parks and gardens.
White-eared Monarch ⚥ Canopy level Insects YouTube video by Tim Siggs - bird calling 14cm. Fairly common resident. Look for it characteristically sallying, hovering and fluttering around the outer foliage of rainforest trees or trees in the riparian zone. One of the best places in Brisbane to see this difficult-to-find bird is at the Reservoir.
White-headed Pigeon ⚥
Baldy, Baldy Pigeon
Canopy level Seed
Fruit
41cm. Locally nomadic and highly dispersive seeking fruit trees. Only rarely seen, flies strongly and directly. Has adapted to the fruit of the Camphor Laurel tree. So look for them perched in those trees.
White-naped Honeyeater⚥
Black-cap
Canopy level Nectar
Honeydew
Invertebrates
15cm. Common resident with some migration movement along the coast. Found in most forest and woodland habitats. Always high In the canopy, difficult to see; best detected by their high pitched calls.
White-throated Gerygone
⚥
Bush or Native Canary
Canopy level Insects 12cm. Common resident. Prefers open forests, woodlands, riparian zones. Very distinctive call which reveals its presence, but sometimes hard to see in the canopy. Best place is near Reservoir.
White-throated Honeyeater
⚥
Canopy layer Nectar
Invertebrates
Honeydew
Fruit
15cm. Very common resident. Found in most forest and woodland habitats. Always high In the canopy, difficult to see; best detected by their high pitched calls.
White-throated Needletail
⚥ Spine-tailed Swift
Aerial: from near ground to very high (2000m) Flying insects 21cm. Summer migrant, breeds in Siberia, threatened by loss of habitat on migration route through China. Form large flocks, high in the sky, best seen by floating on back in swimming pool. Look for them in front of summer storms.

Photo courtesy of Tom Tarrant - taken outside Moggill Catchment
White-throated Nightjar ⚥
Laughing Owl
Ground level at night Nocturnal insects 37cm. Resident but difficult to detect. Roost cryptically on forest floor in daytime, on ridges, near bare ground, with rocks, bracken. Seen by walking carefully in preferred habitat by day or watch it swoop above forest clearings on dusk.
White-throated Treecreeper ⚥
Little Treecreeper, Woodpecker
Forages on rough bark, starting from base of tree Mainly ants
Other invertebrates
Nectar
Feather Fascination October 2013 18cm. Very common resident. Easily seen if searched for on trunk of rough-barked tree not in foliage. Its call is very loud and varied, and it calls often in all seasons. It feeds by walking up tree trunk from low down picking ants from the crevices of rough bark.
White-winged Triller ♂ All layers Mainly insects, fruit and seeds 19cm. Nomadic resident. Found in open forests and woodlands and riparian zones.
White-winged Triller ♀
Willie Wagtail ⚥
Black-and-white Fantail
Open ground far from cover Insects Feather Fascination October 2016

Feather Fascination December 2016

Feather Fascination October 2018

22cm. Common resident. The third of the fantails. Feeding substrate is very different to the other two. Found in most habitats. But is easily seen as it comes into any open grassed area in urban suburbs: parks, playing fields.
Wompoo Fruit-Dove ⚥
Bubbly Jack, King Pigeon,
Magnificent Fruit-Dove
Canopy level Fruit (mainly figs) Feather Fascination March 2017

YouTube video by Tim Siggs - calling with mate

50cm. Rare nomadic visitor. Largest and most beautiful of the fruit pigeons. Feeds on fruiting trees mainly in rainforests, adjacent eucalypt forests and riparian habitats.
Wonga Pigeon ⚥ Ground level Mainly seeds, plus fallen fruit and insects Feather Fascination November 2015

YouTube video by Tim Siggs

40cm. Common resident. Feeds entirely on the floor of rainforest, open eucalypt forest and quiet gardens near bush, easily flushed with explosive flight. Very strong simple call that is repeated ad nauseam.

Photo courtesy of Tom Tarrant - taken outside Moggill Catchment
Yellow Thornbill ⚥ Canopy Insects 10cm. Fairly common resident. Prefers drier woodlands, riparian habitats and urban parks and gardens.
Yellow-faced Honeyeater ⚥ Canopy layer Nectar
Pollen
Fruit
Invertebrates
Honeydew
18cm. Common resident, but others are winter migrants. Prefer forests and woodlands. Can be easily found in Gap Creek Reserve, where its frequent calls announce its presence there.
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo ⚥ All levels Seeds of native trees and pinecones
Seeds of ground plants
Insects
YouTube video by Tim Siggs 65cm. Fairly common, seasonally nomadic, in search of seeds. Can be found in all of the habitats in the Catchment, but mostly in the forests where there are hakeas, casuarinas and banksias.

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