OSTRICH

Photographed on the Deniliquin-Barham Road February 2015.

509       OSTRICH            Struthio camelus

Australia          (351)

This looks like one from my South African list, but its not. Ostriches are now listed on the Australian list; it was introduced from Africa after 1896 and there are a few small feral populations which have become estblished. One of these in South Australian Younghusband Pen. and these near Deniliquin/Barham in NSW. 1.75-2.75 cm, largest of all living birds. Found on pastoral lands, open mulga, saltbush, bluebush, grassed sand plains and dunes.

Birdlife Australia ....... "For several decades, several generations of Ostriches has been free to roam on farmland alongside the Barham-Caldwell Road. They can be regarded as wild."

COMMON SANDPIPER

Photographed at Altona, Victoria February 2015

508           COMMON SANDPIPER           Actitis hypoleucos

Australia           (350)

19-22 cm. Breeds from British Isles to e. Siberia and n. Japan: winters s. Europe, Africa, India, s. and se. Asia to Indonesia, PNG, vagrant to NZ, regular, widespread but uncommon visitor to Australia; all Aust, except driest inland. Found in shallow, pebbly, muddy or sandy edges of rivers and streams, coastal to far inland; dams, lakes, sewerage farms, margins of tidal rivers, waterways in mangroves or salt marshes, mudflats, rocky or sandy beaches, causeways, riverside lawns, drains, street gutters.

PURPLE-CROWNED LORIKEET

Photographed near Serendip Sanctuary, Victoria Febrauary 2015; not a good picture but will replace with better eventually

507            PURPLE-CROWNED LORIKEET            Glossopsitta porphyrocephala

Australia          (348)

15-17 cm. Found in eucalyptus woodlands, drier forests on foothills, plains, roadside timber, shelter-belts, timbered watercourses, bush dams. Ranges across southern mainland, e. Victoria to s. WA, coastal to Geraldton; inland to s. riverina-mallee areas of sw. NSW; s. Flonders Ranges(SA); G. Vict. Desert-McKenzies-Payne’s Find (WA).

Next three photographs were taken along entry road to Eyre Bird Observatory, Western Australia, March 2015