Birds on Coochiemudlo Island
Fun Fact (from way back)
‘The island of Coochiemudlo, in Moreton Bay, has been proclaimed a reserve for the protection of native birds.’
~ From a short article in the Brisbane Telegraph, ‘Birds and Animals: Reserves Proclaimed’, Friday 21 November 1919.
Article sourced from Trove.
When it comes to birdlife on the island, the bush stone-curlew stands out, maybe because of the numbers and their size — and their call. Some residents fondly consider them to be Coochiemudlo’s totem. The curlews on the island are regularly seen scrambling through the bush, through unfenced yards, and across roads which is why there is a strict traffic speed limit on the island of 40km/hour — even slower at night.
For more information about the bush stone-curlew, with specific reference to Coochiemuldo Island, read these articles:
Photo gallery of birds on the island
For detailed profiles about the birds on Coochiemudlo Island, visit Birdlife Australia.
Got a bird photo to add to this page? Please get in touch via the contact form.
Bush stone-curlews — a family including two off-spring that are about six weeks old. Bush Stone-curlews are nocturnal birds (night birds), doing all their feeding and other activities at night. Click the photo to read more about them on Birds in Backyards. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
Brahminy kite — we have two pairs of these raptors who are permanent residents on the island, one pair inbetween Shirley Street and Carefree Street, and the other in the vicinity of the golf course. Photo by Lee Steindl.
Pheasant coucal — these magnificent birds are heard more often than they are seen. Their call ranges from deep and hollow to a metallic tapping that has been mistaken for a small dog yapping. They skulk in the undergrowth or through scrub and hedges. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
White-bellied sea eagles —this pair of raptors have lived in lower James Street for many years. Photo by Lee Steindl.
Grey fantail — easily recognised when they fan their tails, and their agile aerial twists and turns. Click image for more info on this species on Birds in Backyards. Photo by Lee Steindl.
Laughing kookaburra — common on the island. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
Sacred kingfisher — stunning turquois feathers on this beautiful bird. Size of species ranges from 19 – 24 cm. Click image for info about the sacred kingfisher on the Australian Museum website. Photo by Lee Steindl.
Noisy friarbirds — an attentive couple on their nest. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
Noisy friarbird — these birds are common on the island all year and have a raucous and rhythmic call. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
Pied butcherbird — a superb singer, with a melodious song that flutes from high-pitched to low and mellow. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
Rainbow lorikeet — these birds are widespread and on the island all year. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
Sulphur-crested cockatoo — often seen in pairs or larger groups on the island. Locally common. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
Spangled drongo — with shiny blue-black feathers, distinctive fan-tail and red eyes, these migratory birds spend time on the island in early spring and leave at the beginning of summer with their juveniles. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
Royal spoonbill — feeding on Morwong Beach at low tide. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
White-faced heron — feeding on Morwong Beach, late afternoon at low tide.
Australian white ibis — these birds are common on the island, and throughout eastern and northern Australia. They have a honking call, and because they like rummaging through garbage or composts they are often called 'bin chickens' or 'tip turkeys'.
Pied oystercatcher — a distinctive wader looking for a feed at low tide on Morwong Beach.
Brown honeyeater — tiny birds with a shrill, sweet call, widespread and common on the island when the melaleuca flowers are blooming. Click on image for info about this bird on Birds in Backyards. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
Blue-faced honeyeater (juvenile) — common on the island all year. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
Blue-faced honeyeater — stunning blue and olive feathering of the mature birds. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
Masked lapwings — an attentive parent watching over his chick on the foreshore of Morwing Beach. Commonly known as 'plover', the masked lapwing has a loud penetrating call and boldly swoops intruders to its territory. Photo by Angela Hoskins.
This aggressive little Wagtail rules the roost among the dead trees at the northern end of Norfolk Beach. Photo by Peter Wear.
See our page about shorebirds on Coochiemudlo Island.
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