Common birds of Melbourne Gardens

Melbourne Gardens were established in 1846 on the ancestral lands of the Koolin people. The Koolin
people were the First Australians and traditional custodians of the land. We acknowledge and pay
respect to the elders of the community and extend our recognition to their descendants.
Back in 1846 Melbourne would have looked quite different; the surrounding land was uncleared and
native trees, shrubs and grasses dominated the landscape creating a haven for native birds. Fast
forward over 170 years and today we see a landscape that has dramatically changed; buildings now
replace tall River Red Gums and concrete replaces grasslands. Many birds cannot live in our urban
environments. Botanic gardens and home gardens help to provide native animals with food and
shelter.
Melbourne Gardens supports breeding populations of many bird species. It also provides a stopover
point for various seasonal migrants. Over 110 species have been recorded since 1997 with some only
sighted in the last 10 years. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns may provide some
explanation, along with increased plantings of indigenous flora. Beds of rushes, sedges and aquatic
plants established during the Working Wetlands project in 2012 have provided major benefits for
wetland birds in terms of food, shelter and nesting sites.
Please remember that the Gardens and nearby parklands provide abundant natural food. Visitors are
reminded that offering of food to birds discourages natural foraging behaviour and often causes
digestive problems.

How to use this guide

About the bird descriptions

TICK THE BIRDS YOU SEE INDIGENOUS NAME (BUNURONG TRIBE)

Each description reveals basic information about the birds and their connection to the Gardens.
Additional notes on calls, colour pattern and behaviour may be included.

Note: many of the birds in this guide have plumage patterns that vary from what is shown in the
images. For detailed identification of all Australian birds, refer to field guides, mobile applications (such
as Pizzey & Knight and Michael Morcombe) and BirdLife Australia website.

Key to Conservation Status (Victoria)

Not assessed/
Where to see the birds Unknown Secure Vulnerable Endangered Introduced
in the Gardens

References
BirdLife Australia; Birds of Australia (Pizzey & Knight) mobile app; Field Guide to Australian Birds (Michael Morcombe)
Indigenous names provided by Aunty Faye Stewart-Muir
Photo credits
Images by Bruce Sandie; title image by Neeraj Sharma
 Black Swan
Cygnus atratus
GUNAWARRA
Look for black swans on Ornamental Lake often seen with
their heads down and bottoms up feeding on submerged
aquatic plants such as Vallisneria (Eelgrass), Potamogeton
crispus (Curly-leaf Pondweed) and Cycnogeton procerum
(Water Ribbons). Grey fluffy cygnets often appear in spring,
hatching from large nests constructed on one of our many
islands on the lake.
Ornamental Lake
Pacific Black Duck
Anas superciliosa
This common duck is identified by its distinctive black mask.
It is often seen dabbling in the lake for Lemna sp (Duckweed),
invertebrates and plant seeds. It is a prolific breeder and will
produce many fluffy brown and yellow ducklings but only
around 20% will survive. Often seen amongst other species of
duck on the lake.
Ornamental Lake
Australian Wood Duck
Chenonetta jubata
♀ L /♂ R
EKOABEL
Wood ducks are often seen in pairs or large groups grazing on
lawns around Ornamental Lake and Dog Flat. In spring they
breed in hollows so listen out for calls from remnant
Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) such as the ‘Lions-
head Tree’ located in the Lower Yarra River Habitat. They are
very protective of their young and if you are taking a walk
around Ornamental Lake, be prepared for a confrontation if
parents with ducklings are grazing nearby.
Ornamental Lake
Chestnut Teal
Anas castanea
♂L/♀R
Chestnut Teal are often seen in pairs. The male has a distinct
glossy green head which makes it easily identifiable from the
female (pictured above). They are commonly seen dabbling
in the shallows of Ornamental Lake and Long Island wetland
looking for seeds and insects to eat.
Ornamental Lake, Long Island
 Hardhead
Aythya australis
DULUM
This diving duck can be seen in pairs or large groups feeding
on the lawns around Ornamental Lake but more commonly
observed diving for submerged aquatic plants. They build
nests from sticks, down-feathers and reeds such as Eleocharis
sphacelata (Tall Spike Rush) and Schoenoplectus
tabernaemontani (River Club Rush). In flight they make a
distinct ‘whirring’ sound. A striking characteristic of this duck
is the male’s white eye.
Ornamental Lake
Nankeen Night Heron
Nycticorax caledonicus
A secretive bird that spooks easily when disturbed. Usually
can be seen in the cooler months hiding amongst foliage of
trees or hunting around the margins of Ornamental Lake and
Long Island billabong. Thick vegetation is important for this
vulnerable Victorian species.
Long Island, Ornamental Lake
Ornamental Lake
Australasian Grebe
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
This waterbird is commonly seen in spring on the main lake
near Long Island. Blink and you will miss them as they are
often disappearing underwater. They have the ability to fully
submerge in order to catch prey such as insects and fish.
Adults feed feathers to their young, a behaviour which is
thought to protect their chicks from sharp fish bones that are
swallowed.
Long Island, Ornamental Lake
Eastern Great Egret
Ardea alba
A large elegant solitary bird often seen stalking prey around
the lake margins. They will feed on fish, frogs and
invertebrates. They build platform stick nests in trees over
water and both parents will incubate eggs and care for
young. In spring, look out for the appearance of breeding
plumage (‘nuptial plumes’) when the birds develop long
white feathers that hang across the back (pictured above).
Ornamental Lake
 White-faced Heron
Egretta novaehollandiae
This large bird is often seen hunting for fish and frogs either
alone or in pairs around the margins of Ornamental Lake.
Rainfall may trigger breeding outside of the breeding season
and both parents participate in the construction of an untidy
nest of sticks in trees. Look out for the appearance of
breeding plumage (‘nuptial plumes’) that form as long
feathers on the head, neck and back (pictured above).
Ornamental Lake
Little Black Cormorant
Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
The Little Black Cormorant is one of two totally black
Australian cormorants. It can be distinguished from the larger
(70–90 cm) Great Cormorant by its smaller (58–63 cm) size
and facial features. It often forms large flocks and has been
observed hunting co-operatively. Like other cormorants, they
can be seen drying their wings once they've finished hunting.
Ornamental Lake
Little Pied Cormorant
Microcarbo melanoleucos
This species will nest in colonies in trees either dead or alive.
Platform nests are built out of sticks and droppings. A dead
willow located at Ridout Island has been used for this
purpose for many years and Baker Island has also been a
popular choice. As their feathers are not waterproof, they are
often seen holding their wings outstretched to dry.
Ornamental Lake, Baker Island
Purple Swamphen
Porphyrio porphyrio
KOR-RUNG-UN-UN
The Purple Swamphen is easily recognised by its large red
frontal nose shield. This common water bird has extremely
long toes which help prevent it from sinking in mud and allow
it to walk on aquatic vegetation. It can also use its long toes
to grip the soft shoots of reeds and rushes which it prefers as
food. It preys on small animals including frogs, spiders,
insects and snails.
Ornamental Lake
 Dusky Moorhen
Gallinula tenebrosa
Dusky moorhens can often be seen defending their territories
by chasing intruders or flicking their tail to reveal a white
panel of feathers. This species will feed on algae, aquatic
plants, fruits, seeds and invertebrates. They can be seen
feeding in the water or along the edges of waterways.
Ornamental Lake
Silver Gull
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
This is a native Australian species which can often be seen at
the Terrace Tearooms and Picnic Point lawn. They are highly
successful scavengers and will sift through rubbish to find
food scraps. The population of silver gulls has exploded over
the years due to increased rubbish and food wastage which
these birds have been able to exploit.
Terrace Tearooms
Eurasian Coot
Fulica atra
The Eurasian Coot can be seen throughout the gardens on
many of the lakes. It feeds mostly on vegetation which it
finds by diving underwater, sometimes reaching depths of
7 metres. To help it dive more efficiently, it has the ability to
compress its feathers which forces out any trapped air and in
doing so, reduces its buoyancy and enables it to dive deeper.
Ornamental Lake
Spotted Turtle-dove
Spilopelia chinensis
Spotted turtle-doves were introduced to Australia in the
1860s and they have now almost displaced the common
native pigeon (Common Bronzewing). Like other introduced
birds, their success can be attributed to their ability to feed
on food scraps and even commercial food such as pet food.
Throughout Gardens
 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Calyptorhynchus funereus
NGAYARONG
This cockatoo is often first noticed by its distinctive call which
is far-carrying and sounds like wailing or squealing. Their
presence in the Gardens is often detected by the tree
‘pruning’ that they leave behind after feeding. Their diet
includes seeds from native trees or pine cones which they
will tear apart in order to reach the seeds inside.
Throughout Gardens
Rainbow Lorikeet
Trichoglossus moluccanus
These colourful raucous birds are often heard first and then
seen. They're usually observed in pairs or large flocks often
communicating that they have found good nectar-producing
plants. They can be seen feeding on Aloe sp. in the Water
Conservation Garden and Arid Collection, as well as eucalypt
blossoms across the site.
Long Island, Arid & Water Conservation Gardens
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Cacatua galerita
NGAYUK
Sulphur-crested cockatoos can be very noisy birds. Look out
for sunflowers in bloom in the Children’s Garden – once the
petals drop and the flower heads change colour, the seeds
will begin to mature and these birds will seize the
opportunity to feed on the highly nutritious seeds. Staff also
refer to a Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) on
Princes Lawn as the ‘cockatoo tree’ since they've been known
to nest in the tree.
Long Island, Princes Lawn
Red-rumped Parrot
Psephotus haematonotus
DANDAN
Walk quietly through the Long Island grassy woodlands and
you may see them on the ground feeding on seed from
grasses such as Rytidosperma sp (Wallaby Grass), Microlaena
stipoides (Weeping Grass) or feasting on fruit and leaves of
Einadia nutans (Climbing Saltbush). The breeding of these
parrots at Long Island was made possible by plantings of
native ground cover and marks their return to the Gardens
after a 50 year absence.
Long Island
 Powerful Owl
Ninox strenua
Although not a regular visitor to the Gardens, powerful owls
have been observed roosting in Fern Gully on several
occasions. Look out for ‘white wash’ and regurgitated pellets
on paths or garden beds which may indicate its presence
overhead. Pellets often consist of indigestible fur and bones
which can easily be seen upon inspection. Autumn and
winter are the best times of the year to see them in the
Gardens. They are the largest of Australia's owls.
Fern Gully
Tawny Frogmouth
Podargus strigoides
DJINITH-DJINITH
Tawny frogmouths are often confused with owls, but are
more closely related to nightjars. This well camouflaged bird
has often been sighted high in the canopy of a Moreton Bay
Fig tree, several of which can be found in the Gardens. Staff
have also observed successful breeding of this species in an
Oak tree on Oak Lawn.
E Gate, Path between B & C Gate
Southern Boobook
Ninox boobook
MUK MUK
Over the years, Australia's smallest and most common owl
has been sighted in different locations in the Gardens. One
individual even decided to take up temporary residence in
the lower fronds of a date palm on Princes Lawn and roosted
there for several weeks. It was initially discovered by our
arborists who were carrying out some routine maintenance
on the tree at the time of their discovery.
Observed at Children's Garden & Princess Lawn
Laughing Kookaburra
Dacelo novaeguinaea
THAROWERAG
A very iconic Australian bird with a distinctive call that
sounds like laughter. They will often use tree branches to
perch, hunt and call from, and they rely on tree hollows for
breeding. Kookaburras have been known to provide company
to horticulturists while they garden and will swoop down to
grab prey being disturbed by the gardening work being
carried out.
Oak Lawn
 Eastern Spinebill
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
Spring and summer in the Gardens are the best times of year
to see this bird darting about and hovering in mid-air to feed.
With a beak that is perfectly adapted to reach nectar from
tubular flowers, this bird can often be seen feeding on plants
such as Correa, Justicia, Fuchsia, Grevillea and Salvia.
Throughout Gardens, path to H Gate
Red Wattlebird
Anthochaera carunculata
The Red Wattlebird is the second largest honeyeater in
Australia. This bird feeds on nectar and can often be seen
feeding on flowering eucalypts and other nectar-producing
plants in the Gardens. It has a loud raucous call similar to the
Little Wattlebird. It's most distinctive features are the fleshy
red-wattles on its neck, pink legs and yellow belly.
Throughout Gardens
Little Wattlebird
Anthochaera chrysoptera
YAN-GUK
This honeyeater is similar but smaller than the Red
Wattlebird and has dark legs and no wattles. Look for a large
chestnut patch on each wing when in flight. It has a loud
raucous call that can be heard in the early hours of the
morning. Beware if you have plants in your garden that
attract wattlebirds as they have the potential to become an
early morning alarm that cannot be silenced!
Throughout Gardens
Bell Miner
Manorina melanophrys
TRIN-WARREEN
Stroll through our Long Island collection and you are likely to
hear the familiar call of a Bell Miner, renowned for its
singular, high pitched ‘tink’ call. You may see them feeding
on psyllid ‘lerps’ – sugary secretions which psyllid insects
produce to form a protective shelter. Psyllids are sap-sucking
insects which are often found on eucalypts.
Long Island
 Noisy Miner
Manorina melanocephala
BIL-BIL-MAN-NERE
Noisy miners were not always seen in the Gardens. They
were first observed in 2009. This native Australian bird is
known for its aggressive behaviour and groups will defend
their territory by harassing other native birds. In some areas
noisy miners have displaced other bird species thereby
depleting the population of other native birds.
Observatory Lawn
Brown Thornbill
Acanthiza pusilla
This bird is not always easy to observe but its presence can
be detected by the sound of gentle chirping. They can be
found in a variety of habitats but prefer shrubs and
undergrowth vegetation. In recent decades this species has
made something of a suburban comeback as it has learnt to
adapt to suburban gardens.
Throughout Gardens
Spotted Pardalote
Pardalotus punctatus
This bird is often perched high in the canopy of trees.
Another similar species is the Striated Pardalote which has a
striped head rather than a spotted head. Like the Bell Miner,
this bird will forage on the foliage of trees for insects and
psyllids and are commonly found in eucalypts. You can often
hear the sound of the pardalotes beak ‘clicking’ as they glean
scale insects from the leaves.
Throughout Gardens
Grey Butcherbird
Cracticus torquatus
DJIILBI-DJIILBI
During breeding time (Jul.–Jan.), you will most likely see a
sign on Observatory Lawn warning visitors of swooping
butcherbirds. During this time the birds are protecting their
young and may demonstrate protective behaviour by
swooping, usually accompanied by a rollicking guttural call.
Oak Lawn
 Australian Magpie
Cracticus tibicen
BARWARN
The iconic magpie is well-known by many Australians for
various reasons – sometimes for their melodic call and other
times for their defensive behaviour. During their nesting
season, magpies have been known to swoop at anything that
encroaches on their nesting site, including humans. Female
magpies (pictured above), have a mottled white back while
males have a shining white back.
Throughout Gardens
Willie Wagtail
Rhipidura leucophrys
DJIRRI-DJIRRI
True to its name, this bird is easily recognised by the
sweeping motion in which it ‘wags’ its tail. It is the largest of
the Australian fantails and is known to actively defend its
territory, sometimes flying directly at threatening intruders
and even hitting larger birds like magpies. They’re often seen
feeding on the ground.
Throughout Gardens
Pied Currawong
Strepera graculina
Like magpies, pied currawongs have a distinctive and far-
carrying call. Its common name derives from the sound of
one of its common calls. Sometimes they have been confused
with magpies although their plumage is different, being
mainly black with some white patches in the wings and rump,
and they have a bright yellow eye.
Throughout Gardens
Grey Fantail
Rhipidura albiscapa
No matter where you are in the Gardens, you will see and
hear these charming birds as they actively hunt flying insects.
Watch as they move swiftly through trees, often fanning their
tail to maintain balance.
Throughout Gardens
 Magpie-lark
Grallina cyanoleuca
The Magpie-lark is a small black and white bird that's usually
seen on the ground searching for insects and other
invertebrates. One of the features that distinguish males
from females is the feather-colour around the face. Males
have a black face while females have white above and below
the beak (pictured above).
Throughout Gardens
Welcome Swallow
Hirundo neoxena
At certain times of the year (late spring/summer), you may
see flocks of welcome swallows flying above Observatory
Lawn or Ornamental Lake as they catch insects in flight. They
are often confused with martins which have shorter, more
square- shaped tails and a white or cream coloured rump.
Observatory Lawn, Ornamental Lake
Little Raven
Corvus mellori
WAANG
Among birds, ravens (and crows) are amongst the most
intelligent and they're renowned for their problem-solving
abilities. The Little Raven, along with the Forest and
Australian Raven are all native to Victoria. All three species
look very similar and it's usually their call that helps to
identify them. In the Gardens, you will only find the Little
Raven.
Throughout Gardens
Australian Reed-Warbler
Acrocephalus australis
This bird is more commonly heard than seen and is renowned
for its beautiful song. Listen out for its call in spring when it
arrives from northern Australia. It can be seen amongst tall
reeds growing around Ornamental Lake.
Ornamental Lake
 Silvereye
Zosterops lateralis
This bird can be identified by the white ring of feathers
around its eye. They are found in many parts of southern and
eastern Australia where several different breeding
populations occur (known as 'races'). Incredibly, the
Tasmanian race migrates northward in cooler months and
can be found in Victoria through to Queensland. At less than
13 cm in size, it's an impressive journey for such a tiny bird.
Throughout Gardens
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgaris
The Common Starling is a highly adaptive introduced species.
Its success can be attributed to the fact that they are able to
eat almost anything when food resources become scarce.
Starlings were first introduced to Victoria in the late 1850s.
Throughout Gardens
Common Myna
Acridotheres tristis
These birds have become problematic at the Terrace
Tearooms in particular where they have become
opportunistic feeders looking for food scraps that have been
left behind on outdoor café tables. They also dominate
nesting sites to the detriment of a wide range of native birds.
The Common Myna was first introduced to Melbourne in the
mid to late 1800s. It is native to south-east Asia.
Terrace Tearooms and Jardin Tan
Blackbird
Turdus merula
As you walk through the Gardens, you will most likely hear
scratching and rustling in garden beds and you will find that
it’s often a Blackbird searching for food. The Blackbird was
introduced at Melbourne in the 1850s. It is native to Europe,
North Africa and southern Asia. The males are black with a
distinctive yellow beak and females are brown with a dull
brown or yellowish beak.
Throughout Gardens