Small Birds of Manly Dam

Manly Dam comprises a range of different vegetation communities. Plant communities such as the Sandstone heathland and Sandstone swamp provide the most cover and food for small birds and thus, are where most of these tiny birds nest and feed. These communities are commonly found on the ridge tops. Smaller bird species are less abundant but still occur in areas where larger plant communities such as Peppermint Angophora communities are present. Small birds will commonly be found in the understory vegetation in these communities, especially in shaded areas or gullies near water.

Meet some of the small birds found throughout Manly Dam

  • New Holland Honeyeater

    This common honeyeater is a ball of energy, amped up on nectar it receives from the many flowering plants such as Banksias and Grevillas, found throughout the catchment. This bird bounds its nests in spiders’ webs!

  • Spotted Pardalote

    The Spotted Pardalote is one of Australia’s smallest bird species. When looking for food in the upper canopy of Eucalyptus trees this bird is difficult to see. It makes its nests by making burrows found deep in the soil.

  • Willie Wagtail

    Willie Wagtails are one of Australia’s most widespread bird species, found across most of Australia. You can commonly see Willie Wagtails actively chasing after flying insects, spinning and weaving around to catch their meal.

  • Superb Fairy-wren

    These birds are common throughout urban remnant bushland across Sydney. Male wrens are the easiest to point out due to the distinctive blue feathers on their head. Young males and females are brown.

  • Eastern Spinebill

    The Eastern Spinebill is a small bird species found throughout Southeast Australia’s heath, eucalyptus and suburban bushland. It is easily identifiable by its long curved beak, used to gain nectar from native flowers.

  • Scarlet Myzomela

    The Scarlet Myzomela is the smallest honeyeater in Australia, growing to between 9 to 11 centimetres. The distinctive red plumage is a prominent characteristic of a male individual. This beautiful bird is found from Far North Queensland to Gippsland in Victoria.

  • Little Wattlebird

    The Little Wattlebird has become a common species in Australian suburban gardens over the past few decades. However, since the switch from exotic garden species to natives such as Grevillas, these birds have flourished in the urban environment.

    Photo credit: Josh Lee

  • Eastern Yellow Robin

    The Eastern Yellow Robin is a common bird species found throughout Eastern Australia on the Great Dividing Range. Its piercing call is one of the first you will hear at dawn when walking through Manly Dams Bushland.

  • Red Browed Finch

    The Red Browed Finch is a flocking bird commonly found in groups of up to ten when foraging for grass seeds in the ground cover and lower canopy levels of the forest. This bird can also be spotted feeding in areas and alongside other seed-eating species.

Previous

Water Birds
Next

Large Birds