Endemic Birds of Tasmania (10 Photos)

Of the hundreds of bird species that can be seen in Tasmania, just 12 are endemic to the island. Ten of these are shown below. Many birders come down to Tasmania for a whirlwind tour and tick off all twelve endemics in a day or two. Personally, after being here for 11 years, I have only seen 11 of the endemics and have only photographed 10. I’m yet to see the Forty-spotted pardalote which only occurs in some very small areas of the south-east and I’m yet to photograph the Strong-billed honeyeater. I’m in no rush. While I enjoy seeing new birds, my main enjoyment comes from observing even the common birds.

_{( All photos, videos, and text on this blog are by @mostly.nature )}

The first three are all of the Honeyeater family. They are primarily nectar feeders but also feed on insects.

_{Black-headed honeyeater ( Melithreptus affinus) in the backyard}

_{Yellow-throated honeyeater ( Lichenostomus flavicollis) in the backyard}

_{Yellow wattlebird ( Anthochaera paradoxa) at Romaine Reserve}

The native hen is the only flightless bird in Tasmania (The Tasmanian Emu being extinct)

_{Tasmanian native hen (Gallinula mortierii) at the Emu River}

The Green Rosella is actually more green when young. Older birds turn more yellow. They feed on seeds and fruit.

_{Green rosella ( Platycercus caledonicus) in the backyard}

The Dusky Robin is another insectivorous birds. They are often seen perched on a tree stump or low branch from where they watch for prey and then fly down to catch it.

_{Dusky robin ( Melanodryas vittata ) in the backyard}

We have three thornbills in Tasmania. The endemic Tasmanian thornbill is is usually seen in the wet eucalypt forests or temperate rainforest..

_{Tasmanian thornbill ( Acanthiza ewingii ) at Narawntapu N.P}

The scrubtit is usually found in temperate rainforest and is sometimes hard to spot among the dark shadows of giant tree ferns.

_{Scrubtit ( Acanthornis magnus ) at Fern Glade, Burnie}

The Tasmanian Scrubwren is quite a shy bird. Often you will only see a glimpse of it as it flies low to the ground across a clearing. They like to keep within the dense scrub.

_{Tasmanian Scrubwren ( Sericornis humilus) in the backyard}

The carnivorous Black currawong is quite an opportunistic feeder. It will eat anything from baby birds to carrion as well as insects and berries/

_{Black currawong ( Strepera fuliginosa) at Cradle Mountain}

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