Birds of Australia: the symbol of the continent

Australia has a unique avifauna, which requires not only study, but also conservation. The prolonged isolation of Australia and the numerous adjoining islands located in the Pacific Ocean led to the formation of a special Australian faunistic region. Australia inhabits 64 families of birds, which unite 700 species, not counting marine species. Of these, 120 are migratory species, 30% of terrestrial species have endemic forms.

The area of Australia is only slightly smaller than the area of Europe, but the avifauna is much richer here. Birds of Australia are very diverse - among them there are chicken and passerine, pigeon and cowherd. There are also birds of prey here - the peregrine falcon, the Australian hawk and the wedge-tailed eagle. The New Zealand Avifauna includes many interesting species of non-flying species, including the helmeted cassowary and emu ostrich, and New Guinea is known for its bird of paradise.

Australia was discovered by the Dutch at the beginning of the XVII century, but the Europeans began to populate Australia only about 200 years ago. Due to the fact that the population concentrated mainly in the east and southeast of the continent, the birds of Australia during the years of colonization almost did not suffer. But at the present time, due to the intensive development of agriculture and the development of new areas for pasture, approximately 25 species of birds are rare and endangered, and some Australian birds, such as the Australian night parrot, have already become extinct.

On the islands the situation is even worse - here some Australian birds were exterminated, becoming an object of hunting. Others were destroyed by rodents and cats imported by Europeans, and now tourists are a serious threat to birds. The islands were settled by birds gradually, mainly from the mainland and large islands, so the airfane on the islands varies greatly and depends on the distance and age of the island.

Particularly noticeable in Australia are parrots, which, like kangaroos, are a symbol of Australia. The most popular species are wavy parrots. The second place in popularity is occupied by the bird of the corella, belonging to the genus Cockatoo. Males have a bright color of feathers, a yellow head with a short beak and orange spots on the cheeks, decorated with a high crest. A distinctive feature of the corolla is a long, up to sixteen centimeters, pointed tail. The parrots themselves reach a length of thirty centimeters and weigh less than one hundred grams.

This bird in Australia is also called Nymph, in honor of the goddess of fertility.
In nature, the creepers, gathering in flocks, wander in search of food from one place to another. They drink nectar from flowering eucalyptus, feed on insects, seeds and fruits of plants. Nestle the croells near the ponds in tree hollows. Especially these birds like to build nests in the branches of eucalyptus trees. Eggs are hatch by both parents - the female at night, and the male - in the afternoon.

In Europe, the bird of the coral fell about fifty years ago. Corella, with good care, can live up to twenty-five years in captivity. Contain these birds in fairly large cells, which must necessarily be a bath with water, as these birds are very clean. This proud bird chooses only one master, usually a woman, and requires constant attention. Engaging with the corella twice a day for 15 minutes, you can teach her to talk.

On the island of Sulawesi, there is another widespread species of birds that they like to keep in cages - a small yellow-flecked cockatoos. Local residents not only catch this bird for export, but also consume it for food, since the small cockatoo has very tasty meat. These parrots quickly get used to the person and also can learn a few words. Their voice, though loud, but not loud, like most other species. Small cockatoo is very mobile, all movements are accompanied by the opening of the tuft, squats or sharp turns of the head.

Birds living on the continent are very diverse. The study and even simple observation of them can be very interesting.