The Top Three Nationally Threatened (in Victoria) Waterbirds

In a recent issue of Wingspan, there was an article about birds that had become extinct in Australia. It included one subspecies from Western Victoria, the western pied currawong. Apparently its last stronghold was in the Otways, so when I went there, I thought about the currawong. This got me thinking about this blog post.

Below are quick profiles about the top three threatened waterbirds- the three species of waterbird considered 'Nationally Threatened in Victoria' that you are most likely to see.

1. THE BROLGA
This beautiful bird is famous in Australia for its courtship dance. Aboriginal legend has it that one day, a beautiful woman called Brolga who loved to dance was transformed into that bird by an evil magician. It is a majestic bird, wonderful to see up close. Unfortunately, it is declining in southern Australia, although it still thrives in the north. I had the good fortune to see one at the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee. This bird, Victoria's only resident species of crane, is now rare and hard to see around Melbourne. It is sad that this is so, but let us hope that one day, the dance of the brolga will once again become a regular sight in the south.

A brolga near the WTP (Western Treatment Plant)

2. THE EASTERN GREAT EGRET
This bird is also quite beautiful. It gracefully stalks frogs and fish around wetlands. It is one of the largest herons in Victoria. It is coloured pure white, except for its yellow bill and legs. Again, it is very sad that it is declining. It is not as rare as the Brolga, but is still quite uncommon. Birds sometimes visit Steele Creek Reserve, near the Westgate Bridge.

A great egret, also at the Western Treatment Plant

3. THE ROYAL SPOONBILL
Another majestic, beautiful waterbird, this species has a black bill shaped like a spoon, giving it its name. It is the least common of the two spoonbill species in Victoria- the other being the non-threatened yellow-billed spoonbill. It uses its spoon-shaped bill to catch little invertebrates in the water as it sweeps it from side-to-side.

Royal spoonbills at the treatment plant

All of these waterbirds can be seen at the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee on the western shore of Port Phillip Bay. To get there, go down Princes Freeway and take the Point Wilson Road Exit. Maps are available from the Melbourne Water website. You will need a permit to go there, but it is well worth the money- at least, if you are a birdwatcher. It doesn't stink and is actually quite a nice place.

Let us hope that these waterbirds will have a better future!