You might hear this gorgeous bird flying overhead in the morning, or whilst they are tucking into some Banksia seed pops on in Manly Dam. These birds don’t just feed on seeds, they also eat wood-boring larvae!

Photo credit: Gilian Gutridge

This bird is one of the most colourful that you will see whilst walking in Manly dam. These birds can be found feeding at all levels of the canopy. They can be found in the grasses eating seeds, or they can be found in the upper canopy, enjoying the nectar, fruits, buds and insects it has to offer.

The lorikeets love nectar. You will commonly find them drinking the nectar of the Eucalyptus flower and flowering Grevillas or Banksias. They use a brush-like tongue to help them get this nectar as efficiently as possible. You might not be able to catch a glimpse of these birds when flying as they are so quick, it must be all that sugar.

One of the most common parrots in Sydney, this bird is especially common on the North Shore. They love intact, remnant bushland, however, have become adapted to the urban landscape. Adult Rosellas have a bright red and blue plumage, whilst the juvenile has a speckled greenish feature pattern.

A bird with attitude! If you live on the Northern Beaches or have visited recently you will see these birds everywhere. They are very social birds, with it being very uncommon to see them by themselves without another nearby. When they are not eating they will chew all sorts of things, from small branches to electrical wires.

A beautifully coloured bird found most commonly in or on the edges of remnant bushland. If you would like to know what sexual dimorphism is and an example, the King parrot is on. This is when the male and female look different from one each other. Males have a red head, whilst the female has a green head.

It is one of Australia’s most iconic birds because of its echoing call that can be heard most mornings or its bright blue plumage on its wing. These birds are carnivores, mostly eating anything from small insects to large lizards and frogs. If they catch large prey, they will commonly hit it against a branch or the ground.

Photo credit: James Niland

You may like them for their soothing call, or you might hate them for trying to take your head off to protect their nest. One thing is for sure though; they are an iconic Australian bird. A fun fact about Magpies is that wherever you are in Australia, the black and white plumage pattern of the Magpies will change depending on where you are.

Photo credit: D Rowland

Brush Turkeys are one of the most common ground-dwelling birds in Sydney. You will commonly find them digging through dirt to find insects, seeds and fallen fruits. They produce large nests on the forest floor where several females lay their eggs. Once the young hatch, they are on their own from the very first day.

Photo credit: Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble

The Tawny Frogmouth is a weird and wonderful looking bird. It is nocturnal, meaning it is primarily active at night. During the day, you will find these birds perched on tree branches, very still and blended into the surrounding environment. They are not owls, more closely related to nightjars.

Photo credit: virtualwolf

The Grey Goshawk is a predatory bird in Manly Dam and is crucially important to maintaining balance within the ecosystem. They feed on birds, reptiles, small mammals and insects. Their speed, agility and powerful claws allow them to catch prey mid-air and through the canopy layers, darting between the trees.

Photo credit: BirdLife Australia

The Eastern Osprey is a predatory bird whose diet predominantly comprises fish. They’re often seen flying overhead in pairs. These birds form massive two by two-metre nests that the birds can use for years, becoming larger and larger over time. This species is categorized as vulnerable in New South Wales.

Photo credit: Psylexic