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Key plants used by Australian birds:
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Aboriginal names: "ngawil" [yuwaalaraay], "ortherrenge" [eastern aranda], "tulypur" [yankunytjatjara]
There is a whole family of plants called Eremophila, comprising shrubs and trees of various sizes, with flowers of various colours, all of which are called "Emu-bushes". A number of honeyeater species have a preference for nectar from Eremophila flowers and various parrots and cockatoos like their seeds. Emu-bushes are found in scrub.
We present here, as an example, Eremophila longifolia (Native Plum, Dogwood), which we have found to be a major bird attraction when flowering south of Bourke, NSW, in September 2012. Another species found in inland NSW is Eremophila debilis, a prostrate shrub with inconspicuous white to off-white flowers and pink fruit.
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Bird species found in this type of habitat or plant |
This is not necessarily a complete list. We display here some examples of bird species found by us in this kind of habitat or plant. Hover your cursor on thumbnails to see names of species; click on thumbnail to go to the page describing the species.
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Photos |
Emu-bush (Eremophila longifolia) found near Bourke, NSW; often
found as shrubs of up to 3 m high, these plants can grow into
trees with a height of up to 8 m
Red bell-shaped flowers of Eremophila longifolia
Close look at a single red bell-shaped flower of an Eremophila longifolia
planted on our property
Mature seed pod of Eremophila longifolia
Frontal view of a Major
Mitchell's Cockatoo feeding in an Emu-bush (Eremophila longifolia)
[Near Bourke, NSW, September 2012]
Eremophila maculata found at Pilliga, NSW
Overview of an Eremophila debilis shrub on our property
Closer look at the fruit of Eremophila debilis
Spotted Bowerbird
collecting fruits of Eremophila debilis
[Eulah Creek, NSW, June 2020]
Usage |
This is not necessarily a complete list. We collate here various ways in which birds can use various types of plant.
Perch | Roost | Shade | Food | Nectar | Fruit | Seed | Prey | Nest space |
Nest mat. |
Shelter | Vantage point |
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