NUTMEG MANNIKIN

Photographed in Caines, Queensland October 2015

712              NUTMEG MANNIKIN             Lonchura punctulata

Australia          (554)

Also known as Spice Finch, Spice Bird, Scaly-breasted Munia or Scaly Breasted Mannikin. Found in grasslands, crops, rank roadside growth urban wastelands, lantana thickets, vineyards. 10.5-11.5 cm. Range: native from India to s. China, Malaysia, Philippines to e. Indonesia. Introduced from aviary escapes near Brisbane, Townsville, Rockhampton (Q), Sydney (NSW), from c. 1930. Widespread from c. Cooktown (Q) to Moruya (NSW), mostly coastal but inland to Miles (Q), Mudgee (NSW). Common, expanding.

LARGE-BILLED HERON

Photographed on Claudie River, Iron Range, Queensland October 2015

711             GREAT-BILLED HERON            Ardea sumatrana

Australia             (553)

1-1.2 m. Found in mangrove-overhung creeks and rivers, tidal mudflats, tree-surrounded swamps; ascends larger rivers. Range: coastal n. Aust.: from c. Derby(WA) to McArthur R. on Gulf (NT), and from Gregory R. and Cape York Pen. s. to c. Rockhampton (Q). Sparse, sedentary.

Photographed on the Daintree River, Queensland October 2015