Listening to birds

Introduction

Gymnorhina tibicen, Australian Magpie

This is an activity that can take all day but should be limited to about 20 minutes for young children and teenagers. It is suitable for groups of people older than about 6 years of age (maximum 30).

Materials

Optional (depending on expertise): Fullagar, P. and Slater, E. 2004. CD: Field Guide to the Birds of the ACT: The Calls and Songs Compiled and Edited, and battery-operated portable CD player that can select tracks on request.

Optional: pictures of commonly seen birds tagged in a Field Guide or pasted onto cardboard cards.

Preparation

The leader of this activity should familiarise themselves with the calls of birds commonly seen in the Aranda Bushland, and how to locate them readily on the Fullagar and Slater CD.

Birdsongs of some commonly seen birds in Aranda Bushland

Cacatua roseicapilla, Galah

Cacatua roseicapilla

Cacatua galerita, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Cacatua galerita

Platycercus elegans, Crimson Rosella

Platycercus elegans

Platycercus eximius, Eastern Rosella

Platycercus eximius

Malurus cyaneus, Superb Fairy-wren

Malurus cyaneus

Cormobates leucophaea, White-throated Treecreeper

Cormobates leucophaea

Anthochaera carunculata, Red Wattlebird

Anthochaera carunculata

Acridotheres tristis, Indian Myna

Acridotheres tristis

Gymnorhina tibicen, Australian Magpie

Gymnorhina tibicen

Strepera graculina, Pied Currawong

Strepera graculina

Corvus coronoides, Australian Raven

Corvus coronoides


Birdsongs of some birds not so commonly seen but easily recognised

Calyptorhynchus funereus, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus funereus

Dacelo novaeguineae, Laughing Kookaburra

Dacelo novaeguineae

Pardalotus punctatus, Spotted Pardalote

Pardalotus punctatus

Sericornis frontalis, White-browed Scrubwren

Sericornis frontalis

Philemon corniculatus, Noisy Friarbird

Philemon corniculatus

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris, Eastern Spinebill

Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris

Petroica multicolor, Scarlet Robin

Petroica multicolor


We also have a checklist of birds seen in the Aranda Bushland.

On site

Stop at various spots along to the Frost Hollow to Forest Walk to listen for bird calls. Participants should stand or sit quietly without damaging plants and away from ants’ nests, listening carefully. If a bird call is heard, the participants should point in the direction of the call and see if they can see the bird. When the call stops, or if there is a break in the call, ask the participants if they can identify the bird or birds. If you can, play the relevant track from the CD to aid identification. You may wish to hold up a picture of the relevant bird heard or seen.

Specific activity for autumn

Look out for the significant flocks of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters (Lichenostomus chrysops) and the White-naped Honeyeaters (Melithreptus lunatus) which fly from the Brindabellas towards the coast in autumn, usually from late March to late May, especially on sunny mornings between 8.00am and 11.00am.

The Canberra Ornithologists Group

Visit their website to learn about the group and to see pictures taken by members of the group.

With thanks for Sue Robertson of the Canberra Ornithologists’ Society for compiling the bird lists, and Peter Fullagar & Eric Slater the Canberra Ornithologists’ Society for allowing the calls from their CD to be used on this site.

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