Birds of Australia - page structure

The pages on individual bird species presented here are usually structured in the following way (note that there are 26 family groups, all species of which observed by us are included in family group tables reachable via the second-tier subheader).

Headers

Each page has a top-level header, a bird pages subheader and the page's own header (see above).

The top-level header leads to each of the main sections of this web site. Here a screen capture (not clickable; use the real header, at the top of the page, to test this):

The second-tier header allows for easy navigation between different bird pages, including some high-level pages (top row) and family group tables 1-26. Here a screen capture (not clickable; use the real header to test this):

The headers of individual pages have the number of the family group on the left (as a clickable link to go to the table), name, alternative names and size of the bird species at the centre and a drop-down menu on the right. Here an example (not clickable; use a real page header to test this):

Page contents

The page contents themselves are structured in various layers (only items on which we have information are included in a given page).

-. Similar species (if any)
1. Taxonomy, classification link
2. Range, habitat
3. Sightings
4. Photos
5. Breeding information
   a) Season etc.
   b) Nest
   c) Eggs
6. Habits
7. Food

Similar species Thumbnail images of species similar to the one shown on the page.

Taxonomy, classification link We make no attempt here to establish the correct taxonomy and classification of species. A link is provided to Wikipedia instead.

Range and habitat information is generic and we make no claim that this is either accurate or up-to-date. For detailed information a field guide should be consulted or visit the appropriate Birds Australia birdline for recent sightings.

Sightings are usually listed sorted by location; for a given location entries are in chronological order.

Photos are sorted again according to a few basic rules:

If there are different races or subspecies, these will form the highest-level subdivision. This is the only labelled subdivision. The next level subdivision if applicable, is according to breeding vs. non-breeding plumage. For any species, any plumage, the subdivision is always by:

1. Male
2. Female
3. Group/flock
4. Juvenile/immature

Any of these sections can be subdivided again into:

1. Frontal
2. Lateral
3. Dorsal
4. In flight
5. Other activities (such as preening, bathing, etc.)

Each photo has a caption; many small photos hold links to larger versions of the same shot. Names of bird species anywhere on the bird pages are clickable links. Clickable links almost always appear in italic font, also in photo captions.

Breeding information - for bird species of which we have obtained photos of a nest and/or eggs, or have been able to observe their breeding behaviour, we now offer a summary of their breeding seasons etc., nest type and egg characteristics. There are the following subsections:
1. Season - table with basic breeding information.
2. Nest - nests are only shown if accessible without disturbance. In the case of parrots, for example, who nest in hollows, only the entrance is shown.
3. Eggs - eggs, again, are only shown if accessible without disturbance. No eggs in nesting hollows or other inaccessible locations are shown on this web site.

Behaviour - we observe and attempt to document certain behavioural patterns, but do not have any systematic knowledge of bird species' behaviour. Where known, a basic summary of key behavioural patterns is now given in a table.

Food - as far as known to us information on bird species' food sources in the wild is provided.

Footers

The footers (both the generic one at the bottom and the one regarding bird pages) state the limitations of what the information presented here can, or is supposed to, do - see below.