Most popular bird in Australia
Australia has a very rich fauna and flora. The vegetation of Australia is unique. It is home to many birds and animals that are unique to Australia and are found nowhere else in the world. Australia is a paradise for people who incline wildlife. There are n number of national parks and bird homes that allows you to spot the unique wildlife of Australia.
If you are in Australia do not miss seeing the native birds. If you would be lucky enough, you will get a chance to spot some of the very unique and fascinating little creatures, spreading their wings and flying high in the wide-open sky. That moment took my breath away. The Bird Area in the Great Otway National Park is a great place to spot the native birds of Australia. You can spot a variety of birds there hopping, singing and flying.
Have a look at the three birds that are native to Australia.
The Laughing Kookaburra
Belonging to the Kingfisher family, the Australian Kookaburra is the largest among the Kingfisher family in the whole world.
They look very beautiful. Their body is cream or white and on the head, they have a dark brown coloured stripe running through each eye. The back and the wings are brown. There are blue spots on their wings. Their head is large, the neck is short and the tail is medium in length. They measure around 40 to 45 cms.
The name laughing Kookaburra comes from a feature that is unique to them, their loud “laugh”. You can hear a particular laugh at dawn when they are in the bush. They are also sometimes referred to as the Laughing Jackass.
The Laughing Kookaburra feed on snakes, fish, lizards, worms, insects and rodents. They breed from August to January. They lay 1 to 5 eggs. They live in open spaces and family units.
They live throughout eastern Australia and also in forests, edges of plains and open woodlands in Tasmania
Emu
The largest native Australian bird, Emu share a relation to the Ostrich and the Cassowary. They are around 2 m in height and their weight could be between 30 to 45 kgs. They have a shaggy or a ruffled look with grey-brown or brown feathers. The tip of their feathers and their shaft is black. They have feathers on their head and neck, small wings and long legs and neck.
The Australian Emu does not fly but can run pretty fast at a speed of 50 km per hour.
The Australian Emu is a flightless bird that can travel great distances at a fast trot and, if needed, can run at 50 km/h for some time. When I saw them running, I was laughing on the floor rolling. I could never forget that sight.
They eat fruits, flowers, seeds, green shoots as well as other parts of the plant, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, ladybirds and crickets. They breed in December and January. They are found throughout Australia except for Tasmania.
Budgerigar or Budgies
This small parrot is native to Australia and is a very cute looking bird. They are bright green and yellow-coloured and have black stripes. They are around 18 cm long and about 30 to 40 gm in weight. Found in flocks, they are very social birds. They eat seeds of native grasses and herbs.
They breed according to the weather pattern and lay 5 to 6 eggs. They are spread throughout mainland Australia.
Also See: Top 10 Obscure Facts About Australia In 2022 You Did Not Know
What is the biggest flying bird in Australia?
Australian bustard, Australia’s heaviest flying bird.
Also Read: Scott Morrison Underrated Overachiever – Australian PM
