Bruny Island Birdlife - Firetail
Bruny Island is home to abundant birdlife, including all 12 species endemic to Tasmania. Some are critically endangered, such as the Forty-spotted Pardalote, the Swift Parrot, and the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle. All 12 endemic species are protected under Tasmania's Nature Conservation Act 2002.
Bruny Island is a popular place for bird watching, and has been named in the top 10 bird watching sites in Australia by Australian Birdlife magazine.
Watch out for the next Bruny Island Bird Festival, (date TBA).
Photos from award winning photographer Rod Hartvigsen
Firetail
The Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella), also known as the Firetail Finch, is aptly named, with its bright red tail and beak making it easy to distinguish.
Habitat
The Beautiful Firetail is found in south-eastern Australia but is more common in Tasmania. It lives in coastal forests and shrub lands and prefers to stay close to water.
Behaviour
The Beautiful Firetail mainly eats seeds but does supplement this with insects and snails. It is often found in pairs or in small flocks. When breeding the firetail couple create a bottle shaped nest which can be entered via a tunnel.
Conservation
The Beautiful Firetail is not endangered. However they are vulnerable to predators such as the feral cat and quoll.