Lord Howe Island Birds

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Purple Swamphen

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)

A large purple and black bird with red bill and legs, flew in here around 1987 and stayed. They like to hang around swampy areas like the golf club and the swamp at the east end of the runway.

Magpie Lark

Magpie Lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)

Black and white bird introduced here in the 1920’s. It’s common name is Peewee, breeds on the island. They make there nest out of mud usually hi up in a large tree. Easy to find in any paddock or grassy area. You can tell male and female apart the male has black around the base of bill, the female has white.

Emerald Ground-dove

Emerald Ground-dove (Chalcophaps indica)

A bird common in the forests and along the sides of the road, beautiful green wings. The male bird a bit brighter than the female. Breeds on the island their nest made out of twigs. Very fast flyer, I haven’t captured one the wing yet.

Masked Owl

Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae)

A really beautiful bird of prey. Masked and Barn Owls were introduced to the island in the 40’s to try and rid the island of rats. Breed on the island in hollow trees their nests are hard to find. You may find one on the airstrip road or near the thick forest areas around Old settlement at night.

Barn Owl

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

A really beautiful bird of prey. Masked and Barn Owls were introduced to the island in the 40’s to try and rid the island of rats. Until recently we thought that the Masked Owl was the only Owl here. I photographed this bird in November 2011 and he has been positively identified as a Barn Owl. Has he been here since the 1940’s or do they fly through here?

White-faced Heron

White-faced Heron (Ardea novaehollandiae)

A wingspan of about 1200mm with a long neck and long yellow legs, this guy is common here. You can find them most days at the Swamp at the east end of the runway or the wet areas near the golf course. Breeds here; nest of sticks that is hard to find.

Lord Howe White-eye

Lord Howe White-eye (Zosterops tephropleura)

Wingspan around 100mm

Only a small bird common in the lowland forest and mountains. Breeds here nest hard to find. Loves to eat fruit, not liked around local gardens. Very fast on the wing.

Australian Kestrel

Australian Kestrel (Falco cenchroides)

A great little bird of prey, not a lot of them on the island. You can find them along the lagoon bank, Blinky beach dune and Malabar. Breeds here spring, summer. Will hover into the wind whilst stalking prey.

Lord Howe Island Currawong

Lord Howe Island Currawong (Strepera graculina crissalis)

A unique Lord Howe Island subspecies, common in the forest around the island walking tracks. Very smart bird. Will follow you around in the forest as you walk and eye you off. Has babies by November.

Southern Skua

Southern Skua (Stercorarius antarctics)

Wingspan 1500mm body weight of 2kg.

This bird is the largest of the Skua’s, breeds in the southern ocean islands feeds on almost anything it can scrounge. Large powerful looking bird.

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