Birds

Collared Kingfisher - Todiramphus chloris 

Endangered in NSW

Collared Kingfishers can be identified by striking blue plumage on their upper tail and wings. Often, they are mistaken for Sacred and Forest Kingfishers, both of which are smaller and have slightly different colouring on their heads and wings. You’ll likely spot a Collared Kingfisher flying low over water and vegetation in mangroves and estuaries. They forage on the surface of mud and sand, mainly at low tide, feeding on crustaceans (particularly crabs) and small fish. Occasionally, they supplement their diet with insects, lizards, and worms.

The courtship ritual for this bird involves the male offering the female a fish or other food token. They lay their eggs in the hollows of trees (mainly mangroves) and arboreal termite mounds. On average, the female lays three eggs, and both parents incubate the eggs and raise the chicks. 

Their distribution extends from Shark Bay in Western Australia to the North Coast of NSW. Unfortunately, the clearing of old stands of mangroves and the loss of trees bordering these areas has further restricted their habitat. Pollution of estuaries is also a significant problem, specifically from pesticide residue. 

How can you help?

• Where possible, avoid the use of pesticides near watercourses.
• Consider installing a suitable nest box to substitute the lack of hollow-bearing trees.

Eastern Osprey – Pandion cristatus 

Vulnerable in NSW

The Eastern Osprey is a distinctive, large bird-of-prey often spotted carrying a fish or resting atop a light post in the Ballina Shire. It has a wingspan of up to 1.7m, with deep brown feathers on top of the wings and white, barred feathers underneath. The head is primarily white with a dark stripe through the eye.

The Eastern Osprey feeds on fish and favours the entrances to rivers, lagoons, and lakes for hunting grounds. It breeds in July – September in nests made high up in dead trees, generally within 1km of the coastline. Threats to this species include the removal of large coastal trees (used as nest sites), disturbances to water quality, including effluent and run-off, which increase turbidity in feeding areas, ingestion of fish containing discarded fishing tackle, and electrocution from nesting on powerline poles. 

How can you help?

• Do not disturb nests
• Discard fishing tackle responsibly in bins. Avoid releasing fish with attached or ingested fishing tackle
• Dispose of waste correctly and avoid using pesticides near watercourses
• Protect potential nest trees.