aussiebirder

Many if not most of Australia’s birds are fruit eaters. Most of our forest birds are, and while many birds may be omnivorous they do enjoy the odd berry or fig when it is ripe. After all the rain recently,now in the middle of our Summer, many of our native trees and vines are fruiting with ripe berries and figs. My wife and I observed several species of birds indulging themselves, often in family groups in our local Oatley Park Reserve. The sound of the Australasian Figbird was heard as they vigorously fed alongside Olive-back Orioles, Red and Little Wattlebirds, Pied Currawong, Australian King Parrot and female Satin Bowerbirds. Here a juvenile Australian King Parrot waits as its parents feed nearby. The juvenile always looks similar to the female parent until it begins maturing.

The Australasian Figbirds were very busy noisily feeding on an unusual tree which they always visit each year at the same time. Both male and female birds including the occasional juvenile were continuously removing the fig-like berries. The fruit appeared to come directly from the tree branch. These birds all know that when the very last piece of fruit is gone from the tree, they will have to go searching again, so the quest is to eat, eat, eat !

This Little Wattlebird was also busy eating berries from another tree. Though this is one of our larger honeyeaters it does enjoy ripe berry fruit as does its cousin the larger Red Wattlebird feeding nearby.

The Pied Currawong also has a favorite tree it feeds from each year, which I found a family busy in again this year near the ponds. These omnivorous birds love fruit. Some were immature birds with parents. Note their dark beak and eyes.

You will hear the call of the Pied Currawong as it feeds.

A lone Red Wattlebird, with well defines wattle, our largest mainland honeyeater, was also feeding on berries nearby.

Unfortunately the Olive-backed Oriole was deep in the tree and feeding quietly and secretly so I did not manage a decent shot of it. These birds are Summer migrants which return north in Autumn. Their unique call can be heard throughout the warmer months as they nest here also.

Our last delight for the morning birding date walk was this unexpected sighting of a Sacred Kingfisher. Though some distance away high in a eucalypt tree I managed to get these images.

Enjoy your week and stay safe. Check out my website for more birding assistance and tips. If you are a new birder and starting to make it your recreational hobby there are pages accessible from my Home Page which will assist you. Check out my unique books which will not only identify the birds but teach you healthy life lessons from them.

Click image below to find out more or make a secure online purchase.

In the light of the above quest for good fruit I might ask myself: ‘What kind of fruit am I bearing in my life ?’ The Good News that God has taken away the judgement for the bad fruit in my life he calls sin, and calls me back into loving relationship with himself through his Son the Lord Jesus, has allowed me to begin bearing good fruit that lasts and attracts not only God’s love and attention to me, but also that of the people I encounter daily in our life. The love, joy, hope and peace that Jesus brings to me through his Holy Spirit is far more wonderful than anything the world can ever offer me. It is God’s free offer to everyone who will receive Jesus and the forgiveness and mercy his death and resurrection brings.

“ But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12 (NLT)

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Adv. Dip. in Counselling and Family Therapy.

Member of Birdlife Australia

To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

And learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed  by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.