Birds of the Bush Collection

The second chapter of The Magic of the Forest book, titled Birds of the Bush. Features: Superb Blue Wren (Malurus cyaneus): These little birds are mainly insect eaters and spend most of their time hopping and fossicking amongst the leaf litter on the ground in eucalypt woodland and open forests. In spring the dominant male changes his brown plumage to brilliant blue and black. They are very territorial and groups consist of several males, not all of them brilliantly coloured, with only the one female. The female mates with the dominant male only, and together they tolerate other males of their own kin and progeny. Females raised during breedings are driven from the group. All members of the group help to raise and feed the nestlings. The Superb Blue Wren is shown here on a branch of Flannel Flower. (120W x 160H) New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae): These colourful little birds are found in open forest and healthland. They visit gardens where flowering, nectar-rich native plants are grown, particularly banksias, grevilleas, dryandras and kangaroo paw flowers. They are noisy little birds and are easily identified by the yellow markings and white eyes. Golden Wreath Wattle (Acacia longifolia) is a very showy small tree with dark green pendulous foliage and an abundance of large, deep-golden heads. (113W x 156H) Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii): These colourful little birds are continually restless, fluttering and twittering on low branches and on the ground among fallen twigs and leaves. Their diet of insects includes grasshoppers, beetles, flies, moths, bees and ants. The Robin shown here is on a branch of Weeping Emubush (Eremophila longifolia), a small shrub or tree widespread on the plains and ranges of the interior. (66W x 90H) Sacred Kingfisher (Halcyon sancta): The beautiful little Sacred Kingfisher, sometimes called Green Kingfisher, is usually found near water, feeding on aquatic insects, small fish and reptiles. (55W x 80H) Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla): Galahs are one of the most familiar of Australian parrots. Their favourite nesting sites are hollows in large eucalypt trees. Although farmers sometimes become upset at the damage they cause by eating the seed of their crops, galahs also devour large quantities of seeds and noxious plants. (129W x 110H) Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis): This little bird inhabits rainfoest, scrub and open forest. Birds are found in pairs in the breeding season and singly or in loose wandering groups in the winter. Also called Yellow-breasted Whistler or Whipbird. (75W x 110H)