Black Swan
Cygnus atratus.
A very large water bird with white tipped wings (up to 2m wingspan) and a red beak. They fly with thier long necks outstretched.
Black swans can be found all around Australia and are common on Lake Macquarie. Groups may be seen feeding in the shallow water at the bottom of our street.
Young swans (cygnets) have white feathers that are gradually replaced with black feathers as they mature.
White-faced Heron
Egretta novaehollandiae.
A slender blue-grey bird with yellow legs. Adult length from 650 to 680 mm. White faced herons can be found around the lake, perched on trees or posts, or hunting in grassed areas near the water's edge.
They are a slow flyer, usually with neck contracted and common in the South Eastern states and South West corner of Australia.
Purple Swamphen
Porphyrio porphyrio.
A medium to large bird with distinctive purple head, neck and body feathers. It has a bright red beak and shield on its forehead, and red legs.
Purple Swamphens grow to about 440 to 480 mm. They are sometimes called Moor Hens.
Commonly found around swamps, marshes, lakes and river flats along the East coast and South Eastern Australia.
Little Egret
Ardea ibis.
A medium sized short-necked heron with a black bill and yellow face. They grow from about 500 to 550 mm long and are found in all states of Australia.
I saw this Little Egret wading in the shallows around the lake one afternoon. It was lightning fast at catching anything disturbed by the bird's feet.
A white variety with a red bill known as the Cattle Egret is a similar species.
Chestnut Teal Duck
Anas castanea.
Teal ducks and similarly coloured Mallards and Shovelers, breed in coastal areas then disperse throughout South Eastern Australia. They become very tame and will often accept food from humans.
As with many ducks, the Chestnut Teal drake is brightly colored while the female is rather plain. Males grow to 500 mm and females to 450 mm long.
Pacific Black Duck
Anas superciliosa.
Dark brown duck with white underwing linings and a dark-striped pale face. Legs and webbed feet are mostly yellow and their upperwing has a purple to green speculum.
They grow from 45 to 60cm in size and are found almost all over Australia in rivers, creeks, dams and lakes.
Juvenile Silver Gull
Larus novaehollandiae.
Grows from 40 to 45cm and found almost anywhere there is water. They are mostly seen in large flocks along the sea shore, jetties, beaches, bays and estuaries.
Juvenile Silver Gulls have a redish brown beak, legs and webbed feet, and mostly white feathers with a dark band on the tail. Young birds have mottled brown feathers on the wings and back.
The large body of deep water surrounded by a series of shallow bays, inlets and wetlands makes Lake Macquarie a popular breeding area for all sorts of water birds. With the removal of nearby industries and careful catchment control it is hoped the lake's water quality will improve to maintain its fish and bird population.
Pelican
Pelecanus conspicillatus.
A very large black and white bird with a long pink bill (turns red when courting). Pelecans grow up to 180cm long and are quite agressive if annoyed by people or animals. They look graceful in flight and are often seen soaring in groups above the lake.
A pelican's beak has a deep pocket extending to its throat. The bird can carry large fish in the pocket to a roosting place where it feeds upon the catch. Its beak is also sharp and strong, and said to be able to break a man's arm.
Great Egret
Ardea alba.
One of the largest of the Egret family, the Great Egret grows from 800 to 1000 mm. They are all white with red or black legs and feet, and green face. Their necks are very long, up to one and a half times their body length.
Great Egrets are usually found in bays and tidal flats in the quieter areas of the lake and river system. This one was photographed feeding in the threatened Toronto Wetlands.
Litle Pied Cormorant
Phalacrocorax melanoleucos.
Cormorants have a hooked beak and streamlined body allowing them to swim and catch fish under water. This variety is also known to saw in thermal up-drafts on hot days.
Cormorants can often be seen sunning themselves on branches or exposed rocks near the water's edge. This small variety grows from 550 mm to 650 mm long.
They are found all over NSW and Victoria, and in the South Eastern corners of South Australia and Queensland.
Darter
Anhinga melanogaster.
A medium to large size water bird that grows from 850 to 950 mm long. They are often called shags.
Darters are underwater hunters and can be seen diving in reasonably deep water. They will group and hunt together in areas where schools of fish can be found closer to the surface.
Darters are regularly seen with both wings out-stretched, sitting on posts and jetties around the lake. Commonly found near water in most of Eastern Australia.
Wood Duck
Chenonetta jubata.
A 480 mm bird found almost anywhere there is water below the tropics. They are at home in fresh or salt water and live in small flocks. Wood ducks are easily identified by their short black bill.
These ducks frequent back yards to graze on clover in the lawn. They make a mess in swimming pools and are often considered a pest by town dwellers.
Hybrid Duck
(cross breed)
Several varieties of hybrid or crossbred native ducks can be seen in the bays, creeks and wetlands surrounding Lake Macquarie.
This duck could either be a Pacific Black / Mallard cross or a Pacific Black / Chestnut Teal cross. It is slightly larger than the Pacific Black and Chestnut Teals swimming with it.
Mature Silver Gull
Larus novaehollandiae.
Adult Silver Gulls, commonly called Sea Gulls have a red beak and legs, and mostly white feathers changing to light grey on the wings and a dark band on the tail.
All Silver Gulls are scavengers and aggressive feeders. Older birds challenge younger birds when feeing and they will take food from each other if given the chance.
The Toronto Wetlands are part of the Lake Macquarie eco system located between Blackalls Park and Toronto. The wetlands are teeming with bird life and contains several breeding colonies. Unfortunately they are under constant threat and the area has already been reduced by commercial development.
