Mount Isa is home to a plethora of stunning, rare and diverse bird life. From local species to migratory birds; some fly here from as far as Siberia. Local bird life expert Rex Whitehead has provided us with his stunning images and an insight into our local bird population. Join us as he takes us through some of Mount Isa’s most boast worthy birds.
Pamela Street Reservoirs.
Kalkadoon Grass Wren
The Kalkadoon Grasswren is one of the most sort after birds of this region, as they are endemic, to this region alone. The Kalkadoon Grasswren can be found at the water reservoirs on the eastern end of Pamela Street. Also within the areas of Mica and Sybella Creeks. These sites are the most common locations to find the Kalkadoon Grass Wren but there is no guarantee of finding them. Luck plays a big part, says Rex.
Spinifex Pigeon
The Spinifex pigeon is a common resident in Mount Isa.
Budgerigar Melopsittacus
Seasonal visitor of Mount Isa. Flies though every year.
Pictorella Mannikin
The Pictorella Mannikin is an uncommon resident of Mount Isa.
Brown Falcon
The Brown Falcon is an Uncommon resident of Mount Isa.
Treatment Plant Ponds.
Australasian Gebe
The Australasian Gebe is a common resident of Mount Isa.
Hardhead
The Hardhead is a common resident of Mount Isa.
Lake Moondarra foreshore
Comb-crested Jacana
The Comb-crested Jacana is a common resident in Mount Isa.
Green Pygmy Goose
The Green Pygmy Goose is a common resident of Mount Isa.
Glossy IBIS
The Glossy IBIS is a common resident of Mount Isa.
Long-tailed finch
The long-tailed finch is an uncommon resident of Mount Isa.
Varied Lorikeet
The Varied Lorikeet is a common resident in Mount Isa when the trees are in blossom.
Lake Moondarra Foreshore.
Black-necked stork
The black-necked stork is a common resident in Mount Isa.
White-bellied Sea Eagle.
The white-bellied Sea Eagle is a common resident to Mount Isa.
Horse Paddocks
Purple Swamp Hen
The Purple Swamp Hen is a common resident of the Mount Isa waste station.
Chestnut-Breasted Mannikin
The Chestnut-Breasted Mannikin is an uncommon resident of Mount Isa.
Painted Finch
The Painted Finch is a very common resident in Mount Isa.
Golden-Backed Honeyeater
The Golden-Backed Honeyeater is a common resident in Mount Isa when Melaleuca trees are in flower.
Cloncurry Ring neck Bernardus
The Cloncurry Ring neck Bernardus is a common resident in Mount Isa.
Other.
The Carpentarian Grasswren
The Carpentarian Grasswren, is also endemic to the Mount Isa region etc. (remains the same).
The most popular location, to find the Carpentaria Grass wren, was along McNamara’s Road. However, McNamara’s Road, is a private road, and has now been closed to the general public, due to safety reasons, with the increase of mining traffic on this road.
There are other areas, in the region, where the Carpentarian Grasswren can be found. However, these are all on private property, and permission for access is required, from the owners/managers, prior to entry
Varied Lorikeets
The Varied Lorikeet is one of the small parrots in the Mount Isa area. They usually follow the blossoms and wherever there are Eucalypts and Paperbarks blossoming you will find the Varied Lorikeet
Black-fronted Dotterel
The Black-fronted Dotterel is a common, small wader, found usually wherever there is water. They are regularly seen around Lake Moondarra and breed there. They are quite a colourful little bird and will put on what is known as the broken wing act should anyone venture close to their nest, which is just a bare scrape on the ground.
Jabiru or Black-necked Stork, Photo by Rex Whitehead
Jabiru or Black-necked Stork
The Black-necked Stork is one of our largest water birds and is regularly seen at Lake Moondarra. Where it feeds on fish, frogs, snakes and turtles and other crustations when in salt water. The bird in this image is a female as it has a yellow eye. The males have a black eye.
Black-shouldered Kite, Photo by Rex Whitehead
Black-shouldered Kite
The Black-shouldered Kite is just one of the many Raptors in this area. It is a beautiful bird in its white and black, with penetrating red eyes. It is known for its hovering abilities where it can hover in the one place watching for prey on the ground. Hence the Kite name. As it is very much like a kite, in this instance.
The Yellow Chat
The Yellow Chat is one of the rarest Chats to be found but can be found around Mount Isa at various times, along with the Crimson and Orange Chats. The male Yellow Chats gain their vivid yellow colour during the breeding season. They are nomadic so it is a bit of a hit and miss to see one of them. They are much sort after.
