Australia has a unique avifauna that requires not only study, but also conservation. The long isolation of Australia and the numerous adjoining islands located in the Pacific Ocean led to the formation of a special Australian faunistic region. Australia is inhabited by 64 bird families, uniting 700 species, excluding marine. Of these, 120 species are migratory, 30% of terrestrial species are endemic.
The area of Australia is only slightly smaller than the area of Europe, but the avifauna here is much richer. Birds of Australia are very diverse - among them there are chicken and passerine, pigeon and cowgirl. Birds of prey are also found here - this is a peregrine falcon, an Australian hawk and a wedge-tailed eagle. The avifauna of New Zealand includes many interesting species of flightless species, among which are the helmet-bearing cassowary and ostrich emu, and New Guinea is known for its birds of paradise.
Australia was discovered by the Dutch at the beginning of the XVII century, but Europeans began to populate Australia only 200 years ago. Due to the fact that the population was concentrated mainly in the east and southeast of the continent, Australian birds almost did not suffer during the years of colonization. But at present, due to the intensive development of agriculture and the development of new territories for pasture, approximately 25 species of birds are rare and endangered, and some birds of Australia, such as the Australian night parrot, have already become extinct.
On the islands, the situation is even worse - here some of the birds of Australia were exterminated, becoming an object of hunting. Others - destroyed by rodents and cats imported by Europeans, and now tourists pose a serious threat to birds. The islands were populated by birds gradually, mainly from the mainland and large islands, so the avian fauna on the islands varies greatly and depends on the distance and age of the island.
Parrots are especially noticeable in Australia, which, like the kangaroo, are a symbol of Australia. The most popular species are budgies. The second most popular bird is the cockatiel, which belongs to the cockatoo genus. 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 Corella is a long, up to sixteen centimeters, pointed tail. The parrots themselves reach a length of thirty centimeters and weigh less than a hundred grams.
This bird in Australia is also called Nymph, in honor of the goddess of fertility.
In nature, corals, gathering in flocks, wander in search of food from one place to another. They drink nectar from blooming eucalyptus trees, eat insects, seeds and fruits of plants. Corellas nest near water bodies in hollows of trees. Especially these birds like to make nests in the branches of eucalyptus trees. Both parents incubate eggs - the female at night, and the male in the afternoon.
Corella came to Europe about fifty years ago. With good care, Corella can live in captivity for up to twenty-five years. These birds are kept in rather large cages, in which there must be a bath with water, since these birds are very clean. This proud bird chooses only one master, usually a woman, and requires constant attention. Studying with Corella twice a day for 15 minutes, you can teach her to talk.
On the island of Sulawesi there is another common species of birds that they like to keep in cages - a small yellow-crested cockatoo. Local residents not only catch this bird for export, but also eat it as a small cockatoo has very tasty meat. These parrots quickly get used to the person and can also learn a few words. Their voice, although loud, is not loud, as in most other species. Small cockatoo is very mobile, all movements are accompanied by the opening of the crest, squats or sharp turns of the head.
The birds that live on the continent are very diverse. Studying and even just observing them can be very interesting.