Penguins, Cockatoos, Kookaburras....

So many memorable sightings of Australian birds.

The continent is home to 700 different species. While we didn't see that many (!) there were lots of fine feathers to admire.

• Little Penguins (Melbourne)
• Sulpher Crested Cockatoo (Sydney, Melbourne)
• White Ibis (Sydney, Melbourne)
• Australian Magpies (Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania)
• Galah (Melbourne)
• Great Barren Goose (Melbourne)
• Rosella (Melbourne)
• Kookaburra (Sydney, Manley Beach)
• Nativehen (Tasmania)
• White-faced heron  (Tasmania)
• Pied Cormorant (Tasmania)
• Masked Lapwing (Tasmania, Sydney)
• Black Swan (Tasmania, Sydney)
• Bush Turkey (Sydney)
• Noisy Miner (Sydney)

Great Barren Goose

We took a trip to Phillip Island so we could watch the Little Penguins return to their land burrows at sunset and feed their young. Such shy animals, waiting for the perfect time to exit the ocean. Darting back into the waves at the slightest movement to avoid their predators, and carrying dinner to their chicks. Regurgitating from their beaks into hungry, open mouths. We were lucky enough to see over one hundred making the journey.

Phillip Island was also home to the Great Barren Goose with its pale green beak. Such a small head on its big body! Lots of them wandering around on the road, not very savvy to traffic. Close to extinction in the 1950s, conservation efforts have increased their numbers but they remain one of the planet's rarest geese. 

Heard the Kookaburra laughing in Sydney Botanical Gardens, and got a decent look at one in a tree as we were walking the trail in Watsons Bay. Almost comical with their big heads.

The iconic Australian Magpie has quite a repertoire of sounds, warbling and squeaking and squalking. We were visiting in February, but they can be quite aggressive toward humans in mating season (September), swooping and causing head injuries that have even resulted in deaths. Magpie Alert is a social media site dedicated to tracking activity.

Noisy Miners are both noisy and impressively aggressive for their size. Loved the distinct yellow marking its eyes.

Cockatoo

The first day we arrived in Australia we saw a solitary Sulpher Crested Cockatoo from the sightseeing bus and thought it so unique and exotic. We were soon seeing them everywhere. In Bondi, we watched a couple cockatoos fly into an apartment's open window and wondered if they were thieving.  We were pretty captivated, even by the noisy flocks, but could understand how some people might tire of the cackles. So abundant! Beautiful birds, they can live up to 20-40 years in the wild and more than 70 years in captivity. Although I think a pet cockatoo would be very lonely, indeed.

Galah

Lorikeet

Galah sightings were less frequent, although these birds are fairly common. And the Lorikeet! Brilliant feathers a perfect camouflage in the lush foliage against blue sky.

White Ibis looked more like they belonged in ancient Egypt than on the streets of Melbourne and Sydney. Otherwise known as "bin chickens" for the scavengers they've become. Bush turkeys, another scavenger, were pretty brazenly poking through people's unattended bags at Manley Beach.

White Ibis

Black swans seemed to love the ponds at the Botanical Gardens. They did look rather regal, with their red beaks.

Black Swan