Birds of Magnetic Island

BIRDS OF MAGNETIC ISLAND

Magnetic Island is home to over 186 types of birds including Blue-winged Kookaburras, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Brahminy Kites and the island's iconic Bush-stone Curlew.

The authoritative text on Magnetic Island's prodigious bird life is Jo Wieneke's Birds of Magnetic Island - it's currently out of print but a copy is available to view at the Magnetic Island Museum in Picnic Bay.

Bar-shouldered Dove
(Geopelia humeralis)

Larger and more colourful than the Peaceful Dove with grey head and breast, brown wings and back and a coppery patch on the back of the neck, buff-pink breast fading to white under tail.
Voice: Emphatic 'cock-hoop' or 'wook-oo-coo'.
Food: Seeds.
(Photo: Tim Hempstead)

Barking Owl
(Ninox connivens)

Barking owls have dark brown feathers, with white spots on the wings. Growing to 40 cm, with large staring yellow eyes, they are an imposing bird.
Voice: Dogs aren't the only animals that bark at night. Just before dusk you might hear distinctive 'wook wooks', as barking owls start calling to each other.
Food: They are capable of eating everything from small insects to fish, bats, cockatoos, ducks, rats and rabbits. Their diet depends largely upon prey availability. Like other owls, they can swivel their heads to look behind in search of prey.

Between July and November females can lay 2-3 eggs in vertical or steeply sloping hollows up to 20 m from the ground. Nests are built in trunks or large limbs of trees. The eggs are incubated for 38 days and the young fledge at 49 days. The baking owl will have one brood per season but may not breed every year.
(Photo: Tim Hempstead)

Blue-winged Kookaburra
(Dacelo leachii)

Found only in Northern Australia (and more common on the southern part of Magnetic Island), this kookaburra has a pale, streaked head with no stripe through the eye. The male has a blue rump and tail; the female has a brown tail. They prefer more open country.
Voice: An extended maniacal laugh or cackle.
Food: Insects, reptiles, eggs and nestlings, but also unfortunately fed other items (such as fruit) as a tourist attraction.
(Photo: Tim Hempstead)

Brahminy Kite
(Haliastur indus)

A distinctive slow-soaring kite seen along beaches. Its deep, chestnut-brown body and wings contrast with the white head, breast and throat. Nests are more concealed than the Osprey's.
Food: fish, crustaceans and carrion.
(Photo: Tim Hempstead)

Bush Stone-Curlew
(Burhinus grallarius)

Nothing says Magnetic Island more than the curlew. With its distinctive, once-heard-never-forgotten cry, its statuesque appearance and ability to blend into the background, the curlew is iconic Magnetic Island. Many residents are thrilled to have the birds breeding in their gardens. as they have gone from many other areas of Australia. Standing around half a metre tall, they freeze and flatten to the ground when threatened. Most active (and vocal) at night.
Voice: Far-carrying, mournful whistles and wailing.
Food: Insects.
For a great Magnetic Times article on curlews, click here.
(Photos: Unknown)

Channel-billed Cuckoo
(Scythrops novaehollandiae)

Large grey cuckoo with long wings and tail and
a heavy bill. Known as the 'Storm Bird' its arrival often heralds the start of the wet season.
Voice: Very loud raucous calls which should alert the Pied Currawongs in whose nests it lays its eggs.
Food: Fruit and insects.
(Photo: Tim Hempstead)