Dollarbirds are migratory, which makes it a treat to see the first one of the spring!

They’re pretty birds, with the shades of green-blue in their feathers and the striking orange of their beaks and feet. Their habit is to sit on very high tree branches or power lines, making it tricky to take a photo. This one was in an area of coastal scrub and low trees on the edge of Sydney harbour, which meant that the highest perch the bird could find wasn’t too high, and I could take a near-decent photo.

When Dollarbirds fly, you see the round white circles on the underside of their wings. Those circles reminded people of the old silver Australian dollar coin, hence the bird’s name.

I’ve posted about earlier sightings of Dollarbirds, including a video of a pair courting. It’s worth a watch.

Common name: Dollarbird
Scientific name: Eurystomus orientalis
Approximate length: 27 cm
Date spotted: 10 December 2024 (summer)
Location: Dobroyd Head, Sydney Harbour, NSW, Australia: 33°48’33.8″S 151°16’25.1″E