GREY TEAL

469           GREY TEAL            Anas gracilis 

Australia              (311)

Most widespread of Australian waterfowl, ranges across all of Australia. 40-46 cm. Found in almost any water, retreats to coastal wetlands in droughts.

SHINING BRONZE-CUCKOO

Photographed at Jerrabomberra Wetlands, Canberra, December 2014.

468          SHINING BRONZE-CUCKOO             Chrysococcyx basalis

Australia          (310)

Range down east coast of Australia to some distance inland, and in the SW of WA; it migrates here in the summer from wintering in Lesser Sunda Islands and New Guinea. Habitats preferred are forest, dense woodlands, and tall dense scrub. 16 cm. Parasites small dome shaped nests such as Gerrygones. Will eat insects that other birds avoid, such as caterpillars, magpie moth and beetles. The birds gizzard is lined with soft, thick inning which catches the caterpillars spines, these fall away and are regurgitated later.