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© 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
•
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
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Black SwanCygnus atratus
When to look:Throughout the year; Feb - Sept (breeding)
Distinctive red bill with white band
Images courtesy of Flickr user epitree, May 2016
Similar species:
May be confused with a
Magpie Goose in flight.
However, the Black Swan
has a much longer neck
and slower wing beat. On
the ground, the Magpie
Goose is white on the
rump, belly, mantle and
upper wings where the
Black Swan is black
Size: 1.1 - 1.40m (body) with a 1.6 - 2m wingspan
Nest made on small islands
Cygnets (juveniles) are pale grey with black bills
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Bush Stone-curlewBurhinus grallarius
When to look:July to January
Buff-whitish below with vertical black streaks
Image courtesy of Flickr user pattfwi, August 2010
Large yellow eyes
Similar species:
Beach Stone-curlew: has a
large bill and a more boldly
marked face. It also lacks
bold streaking on its body
Prominent white eyebrow
Mostly grey-brown above, streaked with black and rufous
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Cape Barren GooseCereopsis novaehollandiae
When to look:Year-round. Breeds June - Sept
Large, pale ash-grey goose with a square black tail. Triangular bill almost completely covered by greenish-yellow cere (skin above the bill)
Images: Adult: Graham Winterflood; Gosling : KAzredrace Flickr Creative Commons
Rows of large dark spots in lines across its shoulders and wing coverts. Legs are pink with black feet. In flight, shows dark wingtips
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Channel-billed CuckooScythrops novaehollandiae
When to look:
August to March, breeding behaviour can be seen from August to October
Bright scarlet red eyes
Images courtesy of Geoff Whalan 2013 via FlickrCC (large) and Tony Palliser (small)
Large, downward-curved beak which is pale to mid-grey with a whitish tip
Similar species:
Its large size, down-curved beak, grey colouring and long, barred tail make it difficult to confuse it with any other bird.
Whitish belly and abdomen
Grey all over (darker on its back and wings)
White-grey tail
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Crested PigeonOcyphaps lophotes
When to look:August to March
Red eyes with pin-red rings around them
Image by Neon Tomas Buenaflor Rosell
Grey head with a noticeable thin black crest
Similar species:
Spinifex Pigeon: smaller (20–24 cm) with cinnamon coloured feathers and a bright red patch on its face.
Topknot Pigeon: larger (40–46 cm) with a shaggy, red-brown crest that is droopy rather than erect like the Crested Pigeon’s. Also, it is rarely found on the ground.
Wings have black bars and glossy green and purple patches
Dark grey bill
Grey-brown feathers that become pinker on the underparts
Pink legs and feet
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Dusky MoorhenGallinula tenebrosa
When to look:Throughout the year
Black body, white under tail
Image by Marj K.
Yellow-tipped red bill
Similar species:
Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) is larger with a bright purple front and all red bill and shield.
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) is recognised by its snowy white bill and forehead shield.
Black-tailed Native-hen (Tribonyx ventralis) is mainly brownish-grey, with white spots on the flanks. The bill and frontal shield is green, with an orange-red lower mandible (‘jaw’).
Red legs
Size 35-40cm
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Eastern Koel (formerly Common Koel)
Eudynamys orientalisWhen to look:September to March
Male: Distinctive glossy black tinged with iridescent blue-green
Images courtesy of Bill Higham (male) and K. Langley (female) 2008, via FlickrCC
Glossy brown with white spots on top
Similar species:
No Australian birds are similar to the Eastern Koel. Brown tail with
white bars
Female: Black or brown with pale streaks on the top of its head
Buff-cream underneath
Fine black bars running across its belly
Red eyes
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
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
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
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
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Magpie-larkGrallina cyanoleuca
When to look:Throughout the year; breeding is opportunistic
Horizontal black line through pale eye; whitish bill
Images courtesy of Angel Oo
Similar species:
Australian Magpie (Cracticus tibicen): is almost twice as large (36 – 44 cm long) with a heavier beak, and wholly black underbody (the Magpie-lark is mostly white below).
Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis): has a completely black head and bib, separated from its black back by a white collar.
Another black-and-white bird: won’t have the thin whitish bill and pale eye.
Males will lack white throat
Call: a ringing ‘pee-o-wit’ or ‘pee-wee’, often sung by two birds together, giving rise to its venacular name of ‘Peewee’
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
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
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Red WattlebirdAnthochaera carunculata
When to look:
Year round. Breeding season is July to December
Grey-brown plumage on body with prominent white streaks
Image courtesy of Lip Kee 2019 via FlickrCC
Yellow belly
Similar species:
Spiny-cheeked honeyeater: beak is red with a black tip. Eye has a grey-blue ring around it.
Fleshy red wattle (skin flap) on the side of the neck
Long tail with white-tipped feathers
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Superb Fairy-wrenMalurus cyaneus
When to look:
Breeds June to February
Male: rich blue and black plumage above and on the throat. Belly is grey-white
and beak is black.
Images: Nadiah Roslan (male) and BirdLife (eclipsed)
Similar species:
Other predominantly blue male fairy-wrens have either chestnut shoulder patch or blue underparts
Male (eclipse): mostly brown above with dull red-orange area
around eye and brown beak
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Swift ParrotLathamus discolor
When to look:
Sept to Jan is breeding season, nesting season is Sept to Nov, migratory birds are in southeastern Australia from Feb to Mar and Sept to Oct
Blue colouring on crown, wings, and cheek
Image courtesy of Christ Tzaros
Its long pointed tail is red and purple
Similar species:
Musk Lorikeet has a green patch under its wings instead of the red of the Swift Parrot.
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet has scaly, yellow markings over its underbody while Swift Parrots have uniform yellow-green breast and belly.
The Swift Parrots’ distinctive flight call, streamlined body, and long pointed tail enable it to be readily identified.
Females have duller coloration with a creamy bar under wing
Red patches around bill, throat, and wing
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
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
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
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
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
BIRD field guide
Willie WagtailRhipidura leucophrys
When to look:Throughout year; usually nests Aug to Feb
Dinstinctive white belly. Body mostly black.
Images courtesy of Emily Fosbery
Similar species:
Restless Flycatcher (Myiagra inquieta): has a black head crest which makes it look more angular, and lacks the white eyebrow. Its chin and throat are white, instead of black, and its tail is less rounded and doesn’t wag.
Any other black-and-white fantail or flycatcher generally won’t have the black throat and white eyebrows.
Distinctive white eyebrows
8-22 cm long from head to tail. It is often seen wagging its tail side to side
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
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
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
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
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
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.
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
INSECT field guide
Fiddler BeetleEupoecila australasiae
When to look:From early summer when adults emerge
Shiny black back and head
Image courtesy of Greg Miles
Bright yellow-green markings
Similar species:
Green Scarab Beetle: has a shiny green back with no distinct markings.
Jewel Beetle: has red markings on its back.
Golden Stag Beetle: has a yellow-green shiny back with no distinct markings.
Other Scarab beetles: have brown to black markings on a gold back (rather than gold markings on a dark brown back) and lack the violin-shaped markings on their backs.
Violin-shaped markings on its back
Dark brown to black legs
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
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
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
REPTILE field guideAustralian Water DragonIntellagama lesueurii (formerly Physignathus lesueurii)
When to look:September to April
One of two subspecies has a broad black stripe running from behind its eye to its ear
Image courtesy of Ian Sanderson 2015 via FlickrCC
Around 80-90 cm longSimilar species:
Common or Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata): its limbs and tail are shorter and it doesn’t have the “crest” of spines running down its back, instead it has scales scattered all over its back, legs and tail. It also has a throat membrane which inflates when it feels threatened, while the Water Dragon has flaps of loose skin under its jaw.
“Crest” of spines from its head down to its tail with black bands across its body and tail
Grey-brown to olive green body and creamy-white or brown-grey belly
Loose folds of skin under its jaw
Larger, breeding males have a red-orange chest and throat
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
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
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
PLANT field guide
Black-anther Flax-lilyDianella revoluta
When to look:Throughout year; flowers spring to summer
Flowers stick up above the leaves, consisting of 6 purple petals (7-12mm length) and 6 stamens (pollen-bearing part of the flower) in a ring. These are long, thick and have brown to black tips with yellow stems.
Images courtesy of Loraine Jansen (shrub), Swan Bay Environment Association (fruit) and Neil Blair (flowers)
Long, feathery shrub with flowers sticking up above the leaves. Long green pointy leaves with vibrant blue to purple inflorescences (flower clusters); up to 1.5 m high
Similar species:
Only D. revoluta var. revoluta is currently recognised for Victoria. Nodding Blue Lily Stypandra glauca has similar flowers, later in season; leaves form massive clump
Fruit is blue to purple and 4-10mm in diameter with 3-4 shiny black seeds that persist months after flowering.
Leaves are long, feathery, smooth green. 15-85cm long with 4-15mm width. Pointy ends and long and stiff throughout. Can sometimes appear red towards base but this is rare.
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
PLANT field guide
Grey BoxEucalyptus microcarpa
When to look:Late January to June for flowering
Adult leaves narrow oval shape tapering to a point at each end, usually 8–15 cm long and 1–2 cm wide, clustered and dull green.
Images courtesy of VIC Flora; Geoff Lay and Neil Blair
Medium sized tree 10-25m tall, with long ascending branches, grey fibrous bark on the lower branches and trunk. Upper branches have a smooth grey coloured bark.
Flower buds have cone-like caps, cream to white.
Similar species:
In VIC, may be confused with Yellow Box (E. mellidora) which has scruffy, yellowish to dark brown, fibrous bark, dull, green or grey leaves with distinct intramarginal veins, and fruit with enclosed valves.
Seeds round or oval, 3–7 mm long and 3–5 mm wide, coupled on a small stalk and brown in colour.
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
PLANT field guide
Gold-Dust WattleAcacia acinacea
When to look:Autumn through to early summer
Leaves rounded, usually asymmetric 0.4–1.5cm long and 2–8mm wide, hairy or smooth. Leaf midrib is obscure or absent, lateral veins also absent.
Images courtesy of VIC Flora; Goods-Graham & Maree (bush) and FlickrCC; phloemalone (flowers), Russel Cumming (leaves and pods)
Bushy or straggly shrub,commonly 2.5m high, branchlets more or less angled at extremities, smooth or hairy. Bark is smooth, grey to brown.
Similar species:
May be confused with other species of native wattles. Keep an eye out for the Gold-Dust Wattle’s straggly shrub appearance, rounded leaves and twisted pods.
Flowers bright yellow ball-shaped clusters that form in groups of 5
Pods twisted or spirally coiled,
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
PLANT field guide
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata
When to look:
September to May, flowering occurs from September to April
Flowers form a tight, cylindrical closter that is 1-7 cm in length
Image courtesy of Rich Weatherill
Tussock-like, rosette plant
Similar species:
Variable Plantain (Plantago varia): its leaves usually have a toothed, or jagged, edge (not smooth like the Ribwort Plantain) and there is a dense tuft of reddish-brown hairs at the base of each leaf. Also, its flower stem can be shorter, only growing to a height of about 36 cm.
Small and initially cream flowers that turn brown rapidly
Grows up to 30 cm high (tussock) with the flower stalk up to 1 m in height
Long, sword-shaped leaves that form a clump and usually stand upright
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
PLANT field guide
Ruby SaltbushEnchylaena Tomentosa var. Tomentosa
When to look:
Flowering and fruiting occurs year round.
Images: Julie Burgher and A.J.Brown
Flowers are small and solitary, growing from the leaf axils.
Small, spreading shrub that grows 1-2m tall. Branches can be up to 1m long
Fruits are small and solitary, ranging in colour from green when unripe to red when fully ripe. Roughly spherical in shape, measuring 5mm in diameter.
Leaves are green with fine white hairs covering the surface. Semi-succulent ad cylindrical in shape. They can grow to 2cm long.
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
SPECIES field guide
Sticky EverlastingXerochrysum viscosum
When to look:Throughout year; flowers late spring to summer
Bright yellow flower heads, 20-30mm wide
Images courtesy of ANBG (plant and flower), VIC Floral Neil Blair (leaves)
Small stiff herb 20-80cm high with multiple branches and hair covered stems
Similar species:
May be confused with Xerochrysum bracteatum (Strawflower) has broader hairier leaves and larger flower heads
Stems with fine hairs or prickles. 30-100mm long, 2-10mm wide linear leaves with bright green elliptic (oval like shape) that have a sticky and rough surface.
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
SPIDER field guide
Christmas or Jewel SpiderAustracantha minax
When to look:November to
February
Images courtesy of Volker Fremenau
Similar species:
Gasteracantha sacerdotalis / Thelacanta brevispina is a very similar species with white pattern on darker surface of the abdomen.
Male (4 mm); Yellow, brown, white and black pattern
Female (7 mm) ring of black spines, bright yellow and white patterns
© Nadiah Roslan/Earthwatchclimatewatch.org.au
SPIDER field guide
St Andrew’s Cross SpiderArgiope keyserlingii
When to look:Summer and autumn
Often sits with legs in pairs, forming cross pattern.
Images courtesy of Volker Fremenau
Similar species:
Painted Orb Weaver (Argiope picta): less common than the St Andrew’s Cross Spider and doesn’t normally produce a complete X pattern on its web.
Banded orb-weaving spider (Argiope trifasciata): has yellow, white and black bands on its abdomen, and dark brown and pale yellow bands along the entire length of its legs.
Females have a silvery head and dark brown legs with 1 or 2 yellowish bands, while males and juveniles will have brown and cream body and brown legs
It weaves zigzag patterns into its web, forming an X
Silver, yellow, red and black bands across abdomen