Flight path

Our gardens are living spaces where we grow, rest and play, with much of their magic coming from the birds that visit. From butcherbirds perched high, scanning for prey, to fairy-wrens flitting through shrubs, to tawny frogmouths roosting quietly, birds are the wildlife we encounter daily.
Some are bold and brassy, others quiet and elusive, yet each adds movement and texture to a garden. Taking time to watch them reveals the little dramas, quirks and joys of garden life, turning ordinary spaces
into lively habitats where we can connect with and appreciate how even small patches of greenery support wildlife. Here are a few you’re likely to spot in the garden.

CRESTED PIGEON
(Ocyphaps lophotes) pictured above: With a jaunty dark crest, soft grey plumage and iridescent flashes on their
wings, crested pigeons are subtly beautiful.
Calm, ground-feeding birds, they favour open lawns and scattered trees, moving about in pairs or loose groups. Their whistling wings alert others when they take flight and the way the males dance for the females is fun to watch. They are seen across most of mainland Australia.

Eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius, above): Found in Tasmania and the south-east mainland. Loves small seeds as well as fruit, flowers and nectar.
Peaceful dove (Geopelia placida): Native to northern, eastern and central Australia, and pockets of mid-WA. Forages on the ground for seeds from grasses and sedges.

For more garden-friendly birdlife, get your copy of the March issue – on sale now! 

Images: iStock