On this page Content components Boroondara is home to many native birds.If you find an injured native bird, contact Wildlife Victoria on (03) 8400 7300 or Wildlife Victoria.Native birds are threatened by:cats, dogs and foxesthe loss of their natural habitat.You can help protect native birds by:keeping cats in at nightproviding a shallow dish of water in a high, safe place for birds to drink and bathe inplanting nectar-rich floraplanting dense plants to provide shelter.Helping baby birdsEvery spring is nesting season. You may come across baby birds out of their nests. It’s important to understand when to help.Baby birds need help if they:look injured or illare in immediate danger, near traffic or predatorsare on the ground (nestlings and hatchlings).Contact Wildlife Victoria if the bird is injured, ill or out of the nest for more than 2 hours without its parents.You can also take the bird to your nearest vet, where wildlife treatment is often free of charge.Do not feed baby birds as they have specific dietary needs. And if possible, keep your distance.Find out more about what to do and how to tell if a baby bird needs help. Here are some of the native birds you might see in Boroondara.Azure kingfisherScientific name: Alcedo azurea.This is one of the smaller Kingfisher birds. It’s related to the Kookaburra.You can find it:along the banks of well vegetated, slow-flowing riversnesting in a burrow built into the river bankalong the Yarra River.It grows up to 19 cm in body length and has a wing span up to 30 cm.How to spot an azure kingfisherThis bird has:distinct azure blue head, neck and upper parts of its bodyorange stripes on either side of its body.The male and female look similar. The younger birds have a darker cap and their colours are generally not as vibrant.It is a solitary bird, sometimes seen in pairs. It catches prey by diving from overhanging perches into the water. Eastern spinebillScientific name: Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris.The eastern spinebill belongs to the Honeyeater family of birds.It grows to 13cm to 16cm. Eastern Spinebill. Image by Ian Moodie. You can find it in:Mountain ash forestswoodlandsheathlandslocal gardens and parklands.It feeds in the shrub layer on nectar and insects.Females build cup-shaped nests made from twigs, grass and bark, bound by hair and spiders web.How to spot an eastern spinebillThe eastern spinebill has:a fine, long curved beak to get nectar from indigenous plantswhite breast and throatblack and grey the wings and lower backbuff colour underparts and upper back.The male has a distinct grey black crown that extends down either side of its breast.The female looks similar but with less distinct markings. Nankeen night heronScientific name: Nycticorax calendonicus.The Nankeen night heron is a seasonally nomadic bird.It grows to around 60cm in height. It is fawn and white coloured. Nankeen Night Heron. Image by Ian Moodie. You can find it near:Willsmere Parkwetlands in Lewin Reservethe Yarra Rivermangrovesriverine floodplainsbillabongsurban parks.It is a night-time hunter and eats insects, crustaceans, fish and frogs.It breeds in colonies alongside egrets and cormorants in trees above water. Both parents incubate the eggs.How to protect the nankeen night heronYou can help protect it by keeping:to the tracks when near billabongs and waterwaysyour dogs on leads when near billabongs and waterways. Purple swamphen Scientific name: Porphyrio porphyrio. The Purple swamphen is a medium-sized water bird. It has a: broad dark blue/purple collar dark blue chest dusky black body. Purple Swamphen. Image by Ian Moodie. You can find it:in local wetlands at Hays Paddock, Willsmere Park and Freeway Golf Coursenear freshwater wetlands and swampswading along the edges of the water.It makes a nests from trampled weeds. It usually lives in small groups. All family members help to incubate and care for the young.It is a competent swimmer and flies to avoid predators.How to protect the purple swamphenYou can help protect it by:staying on walking tracks when near billabongs and waterwayskeeping your dogs on leads when near billabongs and waterways. Rainbow lorikeet Scientific name: Triglossus haematodus The Rainbow lorikeet has distinct colourful plumage. It is a medium-sized bird and grows to 25cm to 30cm. Rainbow Lorikeet. Image by Ian Moodie. It has a: blue head and belly green wings, tail and back orange/yellow breast. You can find it in: Belmont Park and Willsmere-Chandler Park coastal regions urban parks and gardens tree hollows in eucalypt forests, woodlands and in gardens. Spotted pardaloteScientific name: Pardolotus punctatusThe spotted pardalote is one of Australia's smallest birds, at only 8 to 10cm long. Spotted Pardalote. Image by Patrick_K59. You may find it in:Eucalypt forestswoodlandsscrubswatercoursesparks and gardens.It is brightly coloured with a smattering of jewel-like white dots. It is sometimes known as the diamond bird. You can recognise it by its cheerful three-note call.It breeds in burrows excavated into creek banks and cliffs.We are revegetating waterways to improve its habitat and provide shade and protection. Tawny frogmouthScientific name: Podargus strigoidesThe tawny frogmouth is a member of the nightjar family.It is often mistaken as a species of owl. Tawny Frogmouth. Image by Ian Moodie. You can find it:in forests, woodlands or wetlandshidden among the tree branchesat Stradbroke Park or Back Creek Reserve.The colour of its feathers lets it camouflage easily.It hunts for prey, including insects, slugs, snails, moths and mice, day and night. Its call makes a soft 'ooo-ooo-ooo' sound.It breeds from August to December with both sexes incubating the eggs.More informationWatch our Birds of Boroondara webinar.
