BIRD field guide - ClimateWatch · 2018-10-05 · BIRD field guide Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis When to look: Commonly breeds July to January Black bill Image courtesy

© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au

BIRD field guide

Australian MagpieCracticus tibicen

When to look:Throughout the year

Its eyes are red-brown

Images courtesy of ClimateWatch users Luca Mav and Nicola Storey 2016

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The back of its neck, upper tail and shoulders are white in males and grey in females

Similar species:

Pied Butcherbird: has a completely black head and bib that is separated from its black back by a completely white collar. Its underparts are white

Magpie-lark: is smaller with a smaller beak

Currawong: doesn’t have large areas of white on its body, especially on the back of the neck. Also won’t have the red iris

The rest of its body is black

Square-tipped tail

One toe faces backwards and three face forwards


BIRD field guide

Australian Pied OystercatcherHaematopus longirostris

Where to look:Mudflats, sandbanks and sandy ocean beaches

Distinctive orange-red legs, beak and eyes

Images courtesy of Flickr user Michale Dawes, Sept 2007

Similar species:

Sooty oystercatcher: very similar to the pied oystercatcher, and can often co-exist on the same beach. The sooty oystercatcher lacks the white feathers and although their beaks and legs are dark red their bodies are completely black

Black head and upper body with white underneath

Medium shorebird with long skinny legs and a long beak

Size: 50cm


BIRD field guide

Common BlackbirdTurdus merula

When to look:

August to end of February, breeding season is September to January

Male:Black all over

Images courtesy of Matteo Di Nicola (male) and Arto Hakola (female)

Grey-brown with some streaks or mottling

Similar species:

Common Starlings are 4 to 5cm smaller and shinier black in summer, with whitish feather tips and a black bill in winter. Males doesn’t have the orange to yellow ring around its eye.

Another black bird won’t have the distinctive orange to yellow eye ring.

Deep orange to yellow beak and narrow ring around its eye

Female: Dull yellow-brown beak and orange to yellow ring around its eye


BIRD field guide

Eastern Yellow RobinEopsaltria australis

When to look:Commonly breeds July to January

Black bill

Image courtesy of Nadiah Roslan

Grey back and head

Similar species:

Western Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria griseogularis): occurs in south-western and southern Australia, mainly west of the Eyre Peninsula, so the range of this species does not overlap with that of the Eastern Yellow Robin.

Pale-yellow Robin (Tregellasia capito): smaller than an Eastern Yellow Robin, with olive-coloured upperparts, a pale face and lighter, pale-yellow underparts and lacks pale yellow eyebrow.

Yellow underparts


BIRD field guide

Great KnotCalidris tenuirostris

When to look:Year-round. Migration from September-March

Straight, slender bill

Image courtesy of Flickr user ken 2008

Similar species:

Red Knot: shorter bill size, distinct dark eyeline with white eyebrow

Asian Dowitcher: much longer bill size

Curlew Sandpiper: smaller body size and has a down-curved bill

Pale to chestnut head, neck and upper breast. In breeding plumage, they have a black band across the chest andblack, white and reddish speckles

White underparts


BIRD field guide

Grey FantailRhipidura albiscapa

When to look:Some migrate north during winter; nests Jul to Jan

Fine white shafts to all but central pair of tail feathers

Images courtesy of Colin Mulvogue

White eyebrow and throat

Similar species:

Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys): slightly larger, lacks the shades of grey on body and wings; lacks a white patch on throat and white edging and tips to tail feathers.

Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris): is larger with a larger, broader bill. It seldom fans its tail (which is not tilted upwards) and is generally much less restless. Its breast band is overlain with pale streaks.

wings often drooped

Grey breast band


BIRD field guide

Masked LapwingVanellus miles

When to look:Throughout the year; breeding is opportunistic

Yellow bill and wattle from forehead to behind its eye hangs beside chin

Image: Earthwatch

Similar species:

Banded Lapwing (Vanellus tricolor): is smaller (25 - 29 cm long) with much more black on the head and lower breast, with a distinct white eye-stripe and white throat and upper breast, forming a white ‘bib’. There is also a distinctive red patch at the base of its bill.

Brown and black wings

White neck and underparts

Black on top of head


BIRD field guide

Red-necked StintCalidris ruficollis

When to look:

Late August to mid-April, some birds remain in Australia year round

Pale wing-stripe in flight

Images courtesy of Aaron Maizlish 2016 via FlickrCC

Pale eye-stripe

Similar species:

The Little Stint is very similar in size, shape and plumage; however, they have longer legs, a blunter rear end, and are dumpier. They also have a different call. The Little Stint is rarely encountered in Australia.

The Broad-billed Sandpiper is larger and has a longer, differently shaped bill.

Brown and grey-brown upperparts

Decurved bill and short legs are black

Black rump and tail


BIRD field guide

Welcome SwallowHirundo neoxena

When to look:August to March

Its forehead, throat, and upper breast are rust in colour

Images courtesy of Alan Collins

Eyes and bill are black

Similar species:

Barn Swallows have a dark blue to black breast-band across its throat, separating its red chin from white chest/underparts.

Other swallows lack the rust-coloured forehead and throat. The White-backed Swallow has a pale-grey head, and the Red-rumped Swallow has a red rump and streaked, chestnut underparts.

Swifts are larger with longer and more-curved wings.

Fairy or Tree Martin have shorter, squarer tails and white coloured rump.

A distinctive deeply forked tail

Light to dark grey on its breast and belly, grey legs and feet

A white band or row of spots on the long tail feathers

Metallic blue-black on top


BIRD field guide

White-cheeked HoneyeaterPhylidonyris nigra

When to look:April to November

Mainly black head with large white cheek patch

Images courtesy of John Anderson

Dark brown eyes

Similar species:

The New Holland Honeyeater is similar in size, shape and appearance, but can be distinguished by its white eye. Other different traits of the New Holland Honeyeater include a smaller white cheek patch and an eybrow starting from behind the eye (as opposed to the base of the beak).

Other black and white honeyeaters are smaller, including the Crescent, Tawny-crowned and White-fronted Honeyeaters.

Body is mainly black and white with large bright yellow tail and wing panels

Long downward- curved bill


BIRD field guide

White-faced HeronEgretta novaehollandiae

When to look:Throughout year; breeds October to December

Light blue-grey colour

Images courtesy of Marj K.

Similar species:

The White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica) is a large heron with a white head and a long white neck with a double line of black spots running down the front. The Pied Heron (A. picata) is a similar slate-black heron with contrasting white throat and neck, but it is a much smaller (43 cm - 52 cm) bird, with a crested dark cap that extends below the eyes, yellow legs, and a bill that is mostly yellow.

Size: 60-70cm

White face and pointed grey bill

Low, bouncing flight

Dull yellow legs


PLANT field guide

Coastal Tea TreeLeptospermum laevigatum

When to look:Late winter through spring

Grows up to 6m high. Tall bushy shrub or small tree.

Images courtesy of Rachel Mai (flowers)and John Tann (seeds)

Egg-shaped and flat, grey-green leaves

Similar species:

Another species of Leptospermum: won’t have the same flower and fruit characters.

Seeds: flat-topped woody capsule that is 1.5 - 2cm in diameter White flowers

with 5 petals


PLANT field guide

Silver BanksiaBanksia marginata

When to look:

Flowers appear from Feb to July (Sept and April in Tasmania), and seed cones appear after flowers

Pale yelllow cylindrical spikes form bottle-brush shaped flowers

Image courtesy of Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Inc.

Seeds are enclosed in dark brown follicles attached to woody cones

Similar species:

The Silver Banksia can be differentiated from most other banksias by its serrated leaves, the notch at the end of the leaf tips, and the silvery underside to its leaves.

Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia): has larger leaves and flowers and its leaves are whorled around the stem (several coming out from the same point on stem) instead of alternate like on the Silver Banksia.

Mountain Banksia (Banksia canei): found above 600m in the semi-alpine areas of NSW and Victoria, it has some sharp points on its leaves, stouter flowers and larger follicles that remain closed for several years.

Green leaves are silvery underneath and may have serrated edges

A shrub, flat-lying plant, or tree


INSECT field guide

Cabbage White ButterflyPieris rapae

When to look:From September through summer

Black tip on forewing. Up to 5 cm wingspan. Black spot on forewing (one spot for males and two for females)

Image courtesy of ClimateWatch users

Similar species:

Another white butterfly: won’t have the two or three black spots on the upper side of the forewing. Also, the underside of its hindwing won’t be yellow.

From underneath, the forewing is white while the hindwing is yellowish


INSECT field guide

Common Brown ButterflyHeteronympha merope

When to look:October through May

Mostly orange, with obvious raised vein in middle of forewing. Small eye-spot on each wing.

Image courtesy of ClimateWatch users

Similar species: It is difficult to identify these butterflies when they are resting with their wings closed. Banks Brown Butterfly (Heteronympha banksii banksii): has an eyespot only on its hindwings, not on all wings. Shouldered Brown (Heteronympha penelope): has darker markings near the wing bases giving it a shouldered look, and an extra eyespot on the hindwing Forest Brown or Cyril’s Brown Butterfly (Argynnina cyrila): has more black markings on its upperside.

Underside of wings are paler with faint markings

Males lack pale patches. Females have yellow and dark brown patches near tip of forewings


INSECT field guide

European WaspVespula germanica

When to look:Spring to autumn

Transparent wings

Image courtesy of Malcolm Tattersall

Yellow legs; black antennae

Similar species:

English Wasp: black marking on each yellow band on its abdomen tapers to a point, while it is a triangle shape on the European wasp. It is also restricted to the eastern parts of Melbourne and Gippsland region.

Paper wasp: has a longer, thinner body, orange-brown antennae, back legs that hang down during flight, and is often seen hovering. Its nest is smaller, usually above ground and looks like honeycomb cells without an outer covering.

Other wasps: most don’t have the vivid yellow and black markings.

Bee: has black legs, dull yellow bands on its abdomen with no black dots.

Bright yellow and black bands across abdomen.

Pair of black spots and black triangle on each yellow band.


SPECIES field guide

Honey BeeApis mellifera

When to look:Early spring to weather below 13oC

Hairy abdomen with black and brown (or yellow or orange) stripes.

Images courtesy of ClimateWatch users Luca Mav and Nicola Storey 2016

Black head, upper body and legsSimilar species:

A wasp: has yellow legs, brighter yellow bands on its abdomen and lacks the hairiness of the Honey Bee.

Native Australian Bees: while it is difficult to see, native bees don’t have hairy eyes like the Honey Bee. Also a Honey Bee usually has obvious “baskets” full of pollen on its legs.

Usually has “baskets” of pollen on its legs


REPTILE field guide

Garden SkinksL. guichenoti and L. delicata

When to look:Sept to Feb

Mainly grey-brown to bronze. Total length 8-10 cm

Images courtesy of Stephen Mahony

Of the two species, L. guichenoti usually has a ‘heavier’ looking body and a more obvious stripe running along sides compared to L. delicata

Similar species:

Eastern Water Skink: larger when adult (25 cm to 30 cm long), with small black spots on its back and white and black spots on its side.

Blue-tongue Lizard: larger, with a tail shorter than its body, and doesn’t have the stripe running along each side of its body.

Dark stripe from its nostril, across eye, along each side to its tail

Image: Lampropholis delicata

L. delicata’s range extends into north Queensland and Tasmania


MARINE field guide

Black NeriteNerita atramentosa

Where look:Mid to high shore, rock pools and crevices in WA, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC

When to look:Year-round

Image courtesy of Lydia Borg

Marine snail up to 3 cm. Black, round or globe-shaped shell. Older snails will sometimes have a white atch on the side of their shell

Similar species:

Black nerites are common on rocky shores and easily distinguished from most other marine snails by their black colour and rounded shape. Black nerites (Nerita atramentosa) can be mistaken with a similar species called the ribbed nerite (Nerita costata) which occurs in Queensland and southern NSW. The ribbed nerite has 12-15 ribs that swirl up to the flattened apex of the shell and a grey or green operculum (shell door or lid). The black nerite, is smooth shelled and has a black operculum (sometimes spotted orange).


MARINE field guide

Blue BottlePhysalia utriculus

When to look:Warmer months (around summer)

Images courtesy of ClimateWatch user Natasha Marie and Nadiah Roslan 2016

Similar species:

By-the-Wind Sailor (Velella velella): its float is a flat, oval disc about 5 cm across with a narrow diagonal sail (not an air sac like the Blue Bottle) which allows it to sail at any angle.

Blue Button (Porpita porpita): its float is a flat circular disc up to 2.5 cm across. It doesn’t have a sail like the Blue Bottle.

Translucent blue, pear-shaped float with wrinkled top

Blue tentacles hang from the float


MARINE field guide

Blue ButtonPorpita porpita

When to look:

Throughout the year, but particularly around summer

Image courtesy of Flickr user edenink 2016

Similar species:

Blue Bottle Jellyfish (Physalia utriculus): has an air sac for a float and long blue tentacles which can be up to 10 metres long (the Blue Button’s tentacles are short).

By-the-Wind Sailor (Velella velella): doesn’t have any tentacles fringing its disc and does have a sail sitting upright on its disc.

Blue, flat, circular disc (approx. 2.5 cm across)

Tiny blue tentacles surround the disc


MARINE field guide

Blue PeriwinkleAustrolittorina unifasciata

Where look:High shore, rock pools and crevices in WA, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC

When to look:Year-roundSmall marine snail.

Light blue to grey in coloud. Size: up to 2 cm

Image courtesy of ClimateWatch user Louise Burberry

Smooth shell that spirals up to a light brown to reddish brown sharp tip (apex)

Similar species:

Australwinks or Blue Periwinkles are able to live high up on the shore, a feature which separates them from most other marine snails. Noddiwinks also live high up on the shore but they can be separated from Australwinks by their easily seen nodules or bumps on their shells. Blue periwinkles are smooth shelled and slightly smaller in size.


MARINE field guide

Bull KelpDurvillea potatorum

Images courtesy of ClimateWatch user Arthur Chpman and Flickr user Kristina Hoeppner 2014

‘Holdfast’ - a disc shaped section attached to a leathery stalk

Where to look:

Open water viewed from rock platforms at low Washed ashore on beach-es NSW, SA, TAS, VIC

Similar species:

Durvillaea antarctica, the dominant species in shallow waters around Macquarie Island, may occasionally be found washed ashore in southern parts of Tasmania.

Very large brown seaweed. Smooth, thick and leathery in appearance


MARINE field guide

CunjevoiPyura stolonifera

Where to look:Open water and shallow water platforms at low tide Broken up pieces can often be found on beaches after storms, can be seen in QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, TAS

Images courtesy of ClimateWatch user Jarrod Williams and Flickr user Tim Keegan 2015

Similar species:

Cunjevoi are difficult to confuse with other animals, although their algae covered tunics often mean they can be camouflaged and coloured like the surrounding rocks and algae. They are soft to the touch and can be identified from their circular like structure. At low tide you can sometimes see them squirt water from their mouthparts.

Forms large colonies as a dense mat over rocks which are visible at low tide

Thick leathery outer layer often covered with brown or green algae

Cylindrical in shape with two openings called siphons

Size: max height is 30 cm


MARINE field guide

Elephant SnailScutus antipodes

Where to look:

Mid to lower shore (mid to low tide). Rock pools, water filled crevices and under surfaces of rocks Can tolerate mid expo-sure, but prefer moist conditions

Image courtesy of ClimateWatch user G Edgar

Similar species:

The Elephant snail is easy

to identify because of its

large size and black colour.

Semi-rare solitary marine snail

Shell never covers the full length of their body

Black flesh with a small white, shield-like shell

Size: up to 15 cm


MARINE field guide

Giant Rock BarnacleAustromegabalanus nigrescens

Where to look:Lower shore (low tide), rock surfaces in areas of high wave exposrure, can be found in WA, SA, TAS, NSW, QLD

Image courtesy of ClimateWatch user E Poloczanska

Similar species:

Barnacles can resemble limpets as

both are round, pyramid-shaped and

cream in colour. Barnacles can be

distinguished from limpets by their

shells, which are always made up of

multiple plates. Limpets always have

shells that consist of only one

singular plate. Limpets are also free

moving whereas barnacles are always

fixed to a hard surface. Giant rock

barnacles can be distinguished by

their size, as they are taller than

they are round and have similar

shape to a volcano. They can be

found singularly or in a group.

Six large plates with top to bottom (transverse) grooves

White to light green in colour

Circular or pyramid-like structures made from calcium carbonate

Size: 5 cm high, 3 cm diameter (largest type of barnacle)


MARINE field guide

Humpback WhaleMegaptera novaeangliae

When to look:May - Oct (east & west coast) Year round (SA & VIC)

Images courtesy of ClimateWatch user Dave Donnelly

Similar species:

Southern right whales are similar

in size and shape but lack a dorsal

fin. They have a distinctive V

shaped blow and smaller square-

shaped fins and white bumps on

their heads called callosities.

Large, elongate pectoral fins

Large white patches on the belly

Dark on topProminent hook/knob dorsal fin

White on underside of tail


MARINE field guide

Orca (Killer Whale)Orcinus orca

When to look:Throughout the year


Similar species:

Orcas are unmistakable, their large

size and distinctive features make

them easily identifiable.

Mostly black on top, white underneath

Distinct white oval patch behind the eye

Male: taller, triangular dorsal fin

Female and juvenile: smaller, more curved dorsal fin

Light grey saddle behind the dorsal fin


MARINE field guide

Ribbed Top ShellAustrocochlea constricta

Where look:Mid to high shore, rock pools and crevices in WA, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC

When to look:Year-round5 or 6 distinctive

ridges spiralling up towards a sharp tip (apex)

Image courtesy of ClimateWatch user Kieth Davey

Medium sized marine snail up to 5 cm long. Grey or off-white in colour

Similar species:

The ribbed top shell can look similar to the Zebra top shells (Austrocochlea porcata), which can also have faint ribs wrapping around the shell. However the zebra top shells can be distinguished by their distinctive black and white striped pattern on their shells do not follow the ribs but cross them vertically.


MARINE field guide

Southern Right WhaleEubalaena australis

When to look:May to November

Images courtesy of ClimateWatch users Rob Harcourt and D Donnelly

Similar species:

Humpback whales are similar in shape

and size but have a dorsal fin and a

distinctive bushy shaped blow. The tails

of humpback whales are coloured black

to gray on top and white underneath.

Humpbacks don’t have callosities.

Rounded head

V shaped blowhole

Generally black, with pale coloured callosities around the head

No dorsal fin

Typical logging behaviour close to shore

Spatula shaped flippers


MARINE field guide

Spotted JellyPhyllorhiza punctata

Where to look:Warm temperate coastal and estuurine habitats Washed up on beaches after storm events Australia wide


Similar species:

The white spotted jelly

could be mistaken for the

moon jelly (Aurelia

aurita) or jelly blubber

(Catostylus mosaicus)

which are similar in size

and can also be white to

brown in colour. However,

the white spots on the

bell of the white spotted

jelly can be used to

distinguish this jelly from

all others.

Large jellyfish with a rounded and somewhat flattened bell shape (up to 60 cm)

Clear or possibly tinted brown with many small white spots

8 oral arms that have 14 flaps of tissue that become fused near their bases


MARINE field guide

Surf BarnacleCatomerus polymerus

Where to look:Mid to lower shore (mid to low tide) and in areas of high wave exposure WA, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC

Images courtesy of ClimateWatch users Amber Burberry and E Poloczanska

Similar species:

Barnacles can resemble limpets as

both are round, pyramid-shaped and

cream in colour. Barnacles can be

distinguished from limpets by their

shells, which are always made up of

multiple plates. Limpets always

have shells that consist of only one

singular plate. Limpets are also free

moving whereas barnacles are always

fixed to a hard surface. Surf

barnacles have a distinctive scaly

appearance and are found in areas of

high wave exposure.

Hard circular or pyramid-like structures made from calcium carbonate

8 main side plates, surrounded by many smaller ones

Scaly appearance. Grey with a greenish tinge

Size: 2 cm height, 2 cm diameter


MARINE field guide

Velvet Weed or dead man’s fingersCodium fragile

Where look:Low tide level and below, rock pools or reefs in WA, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC

When to look:Year-round

Image courtesy of ClimateWatch user Amber-Louise Burberry

Dark green seaweed with round or cylindrical branches that appear furry

Similar species:

There are several other similar Codium species resembling Codium fragile. Velvet weed can usually be distinguished from these buy having a dark green, rather than light green appearance, a tubular rather than flat cross section and furry appearance.


MARINE field guide

Violet SnailJanthina janthina

Where to look:Open ocean dwellers. Can be washed up on beaches. Australia wide

Images courtesy of ClimateWatch user C Gillies

Similar species:

Violet snails are unique and are

unlikely to be confused with

any other shell, due to their

size, purple colour and thin

shell.

Purple shell that lightens in colour toward the top

Very light-weight shell

May have a raft of bubbles attached to it

Size: 5 cm


MARINE field guide

Waratah AnemoneActinia tenebrosa

Where to look:Mid to lower shore (mid to low tide). Rock pools, crevices and under sur-faces of rocks; can be seen in WA, SA, TAS, NSW, QLD

Images courtesy of ClimateWatch user Lydia Borg and A. Burberry

Similar species:

Two other types of anemones are

commonly found in intertidal areas,

the green anemone and the sand

anemone, both of which can live

together with the waratah

anemone. Green anemones are

bright green, olive or brown in

colour and also live on hard

surfaces. Sand anemones are clear

to light brown or green in colour

and often have horizontal bands on

their tentacles. Sand anemones live

only in sand (not on rock) and are

often covered in sand or grit.

Waratah anemones only live on rock

and their tentacles are always only

one colour.

Many long tentacles surrounding a central mouthpart

Always attached to a hard surface

Bright red, reddish-brown to dark purple in colour

Size: up to 8 cm

Documents

BIRD field guide - ClimateWatch · 2018-10-05 · BIRD field guide Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis When to look: Commonly breeds July to January Black bill Image courtesy