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Great Cormorant (Black Shag) (Phalacrocorax carbo) This sea bird is a dull black colour with a slightly yellow bill. Cormorants can swim underwater for great distances and are observed submerging in one place only to be seen reappearing far away in another spot. They eat mainly small fish. Nest is a solid platform of driftwood and sticks. Call is not often heard, but mainly when nesting and is a loud grating shout. Once wet, Cormorants hang their wings out to dry. This is often observed when they are standing atop a wharf pile or channel marker pile.  |
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White-bellied
Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) Large white bird with medium grey back and upper wings. It is an expert hunter and swoops low over the water to grab unsuspecting prey from the surface of the water with it's strong talons. They may at times hunt other water birds. Sea Eagles have a favourite "feeding tree" which they mark with feathers and discarded fish bones. Their nest, high in a tall tree, consists of a large heap of sticks and food detritus. Call, heard mainly when they're on the wing, is a loud bell-like tone. |
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Peregrine
Falcon (Falco peregrinus) A most highly marker bird of bluish-black on the back and wings. The throat, chest and under-body is a creamy speckled colour. Their eyes are dark and piercing. This Peregrine Falcon has one of the fastest diving speeds of the bird world. They attack using a height advantage, swooping down to strike their prey in mid-air with their outstretched talons. Feeds mainly on small birds and small rodents. They nest in a hollow tree, are not impartial to claim the nest of another bird or when available, in a crevice on a cliff. Call is repeated loud screams. |
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Silver
Gull (Seagull) (Larus novaehollandiae) Gulls are noisy gregarious birds. When in a flock, the dominant birds are easily noticed. Mostly white with light grey wing feathers. They have dark brown eyes, long brown legs and webbed feet. They are one of the best known seabirds. Can be observed scavenging trash cans at beach sites, fishing centres and rubbish tips. They will feed on almost any edible morsel. Gulls nest on rocks or the bare ground. Call is a variety of harsh shrieks one associates with the sounds of the seaside |
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Australian
Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) The most unmistakable of birds. In flight it glides effortlessly over long distances at a constant altitude. The main markings are a white body, black markings on the back and wings. It's large bill is a soft pink colour and is used to scoop-up small fish before throwing back their head to swallow their catch. Pelican's nest on the ground or on an island atop of low mangrove or water plant. Their call is a pig-like grunt mainly heard when they are feeding. |
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Common
Tern (Sterna hirundo) Mainly a white coloured bird, lightish-grey upper body with a black head cap and black bill. They feed on fish found mainly in lagoons, lakes and the ocean. Once a fish is spotted they wheel and dive almost instantly, catching their prey just below the surface. Nests are built usually on off-shore island or rocks and consists of a hollow in the ground or amongst some pebbles. The call of the common tern is not dissimilar to the Silver Gull but not as loud or insistent. |