Australia - Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus)

Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus).

Sent by Gayle, a postcrosser from Brisbane, Australia.

This is from Wikipedia : The Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus), is a broad-tailed parrot of the genus Platycercus native to northeastern Australia. It is a moderate-size parrot with a pale yellow head, predominantly white cheeks, scalloped black and gold back and pale blue underparts. Two subspecies are recognised, although some authorities consider it to be conspecific with the Eastern Rosella of southeastern Australia.

Found in open woodland, it feeds on seeds and fruit. As with other rosellas, the Pale-headed Rosella nests in hollows of large trees. It readily adapts to aviculture and is sold as a cagebird.

The Pale-headed Rosella was first described by English ornithologist John Latham in 1790. There are two subspecies, the better known palliceps (eastern Queensland), known as the Blue-cheeked Rosella, and adscitus (Cape York Peninsula). Its closest relative is the Eastern Rosella, which replaces it in southeastern Australia. Hybrids of the two taxa have been recorded where their ranges meet in northeastern New South Wales and southeastern Queensland. Some consider the two conspecific; this would add another three subspecies.

Other common names occasionally seen include Mealy Rosella, Moreton Bay Rosella, Blue Rosella, and Blue-cheeked Rosella for the northern subspecies. The term White-cheeked Rosella has been used for a species or superspecies combining the Pale-headed and Eastern forms.

Australia - Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat

Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons).

Sent by Laurent, a postcrosser from New South Wales, Australia.

This is from Wikipedia : The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is one of three species of wombats. It is found in scattered areas of semi-arid scrub and mallee from the eastern Nullarbor Plain to the New South Wales border area. It is the smallest of all three wombat species. The young often do not survive dry seasons. It is the state animal of South Australia.

The oldest southern hairy-nosed wombats ever documented were a male and a female from Brookfield Zoo just outside of Chicago. Their names were Carver, who lived to be 34, and his mother, Vicky, who lived to be 24.

The southern hairy-nosed wombat has a stocky and robust build adapted for digging. It is plantigrade and digs with its flattened claws found on each of its 5 digits. The body length ranges 772–934 millimetres (30.4–36.8 in) with a body mass ranging 19–32 kilograms (42–71 lb). It has a short tail that is hidden by its fur. The pelage is silky and ranges in colour from grey to tan. The second and third toes of the wombat’s hind feet are mostly conjoined, apart from their terminal joints, forming a digit with two claws which the wombat uses for grooming. The head is robust and flattened with extended, pointed ears. The snout is pig-like. The animal gets its name from the soft fur covering its rhinarium. The wombat's incisors resemble those of rodents and have molars with a wide palate between them. All the teeth grow continuously throughout its life, which is likely an adaptation to its harsh diet. Compared to the common wombat, the southern hairy-nosed wombat has a better developed temporalis muscle and a more reduced masseter muscle. It is also distinguished from the northern hairy-nosed wombat, with its nasal bone being longer than the frontal bone.

Australia - Australian White Cocktail Parrot

Australian White Cocktail Parrot.

Sent by Adam, a postcrosser from Queensland, Australia.

This is from Wikipedia : The Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), also known as the Quarrion and the Weiro, is the smallest cockatoo endemic to Australia. They are prized as a household pet and companion parrot throughout the world and are relatively easy to breed. As a caged bird, cockatiels are second in popularity only to the Budgerigar.

The cockatiel is the only member of the genus Nymphicus. It was previously considered a crested parrot or small cockatoo; however, more recent molecular studies have assigned it to the Cockatoo subfamily Calyptorhynchinae (commonly known as Dark Cockatoos). It is, therefore, now classified as the smallest of the Cacatuidae (Cockatoo family). Cockatiels are native to the outback regions of inland Australia, and favour the Australian wetlands, scrublands, and bush lands.

Australia - Australian River Gums

AUSTRALIAN RIVER GUMS
I love long bushwalks on dusty tracks, farms, houses surrounded by cattle, blue mountain ranges, burning campfires, the smell of gums, winter sunsets and mateship - just some of the reasons, I LOVE AUSTRALIA!

Sent by Maxine, a postcrosser from Queensland, Australia.

This is from Wikipedia : The River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) is a tree of the genus Eucalyptus. It is one of around 800 in the genus. It is a plantation species in many parts of the world, but is native to Australia, where it is widespread, especially beside inland water courses. Oddly, it is named for a private estate garden near the Camaldoli monastery near Naples (L'Hortus Camaldulensis di Napoli), from where the first specimen came to be described. Material from this tree was used by Frederick Dehnhardt, Chief Gardener at the Botanic Gardens in Naples, to describe this species in 1832.

It is a familiar and iconic tree seen along many watercourses right across inland Australia. The tree produces welcome shade in the extreme temperatures of central Australia, and plays an important role in stabilising river banks.

Australia - Koala

KOALA
The Koala is a nocturnal, tree dwelling marsupial mammal, which feeds almost exclusively on the leaves of a few species of eaucalypt. It consumes up to 1 kg of leaves daily, peak feeding being at sunset.

Sent by Kevin, a postcrosser from Australia.

This is from Wikipedia : The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae.

The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula. Populations also extend for considerable distances inland in regions with enough moisture to support suitable woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were largely exterminated during the early part of the 20th century, but the state has since been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia.

The word koala comes from the Dharuk gula. Although the vowel /u/ was originally written in the English orthography as "oo" (in spellings such as coola or koolah), it was changed to "oa" possibly due to an error. The word is erroneously said to mean "doesn't drink".

The scientific name of the koala's genus, Phascolarctos, is derived from Greek phaskolos "pouch" and arktos "bear". Its species name, cinereus, is Latin and means "ash-coloured".

Although the koala is not a bear, English-speaking settlers from the late 18th century first called it koala bear due to its similarity in appearance to bears. Although taxonomically incorrect, the name koala bear is still in use today outside Australia – its use is discouraged because of the inaccuracy in the name. Other descriptive English names based on "bear" have included monkey bear, native bear, and tree-bear.

Australia - Gentoo Penguin

MELBOURNE AQUARIUM
Gentoo Penguin
Pygoscelis papua

Gentoo Penguins are at home in the ocean. They use their flippers to propel themselves through the water, reaching speeds of 36 kilometres an hour in the hunt for prey. Adults build nests constructed of pebbles, sticks, grass and feathers to incubate their eggs. Arguments are common during the breeding season as neighbours often steals pebbles from surrounding nests.

Sent by Julie, a postcrosser from Melbourne, Australia.

This is from Wikipedia : The Gentoo Penguin ( /ˈdʒɛntuː/ jen-too), Pygoscelis papua, is easily recognized by the wide white stripe extending like a bonnet across the top of its head and its bright orange-red bill. The gentoo penguin has pale whitish-pink webbed feet and a fairly long tail - the most prominent tail of all penguins. Chicks have grey backs with white fronts. As the Gentoo penguin waddles along on land, its tail sticks out behind, sweeping from side to side, hence the scientific name Pygoscelis, which means ‘brush-tailed’ Adult Gentoos reach a height of 51 to 90 cm (20–36 in), making them the largest penguins outside of the two giant species, the Emperor Penguin and the King Penguin. The Gentoo penguin calls in a variety of ways, but the most frequently heard is a loud trumpeting which is emitted with its head thrown back.

The application of Gentoo to the penguin is unclear, according to the OED, which reports that Gentoo was an Anglo-Indian term, used as early as 1638 to distinguish Hindus in India from Muslims, the English term originating in Portuguese gentio (compare "gentile"); in the twentieth century the term came to be regarded as derogatory.

The Gentoo Penguin is one of three species in the genus Pygoscelis. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA evidence suggests the genus split from other penguins around 38 million years ago, about 2 million years after the ancestors of the genus Aptenodytes. In turn, the Adelie Penguins split off from the other members of the genus around 19 million years ago, and the Chinstrap and Gentoo finally diverging around 14 million years ago.

Two sub-species of this penguin are recognised: Pygoscelis papua papua and the smaller Pygoscelis papua ellsworthii'

Australia - Kookaburra

The Kookaburras belong to the family of the Kingfishers and are native to Australia and New Guinea, but only the Australian one is famous for its unmistakable laughing call. They feed on insects, snakes, frogs and other small animals.

Sent by Claire, a postcrosser from Australia.

This is from Wikipedia : Kookaburras (genus Dacelo) are large to very large (total length 28–42 cm/11–17 in) terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea, the name a loanword from Wiradjuri guuguubarra, which is onomatopoeic of its call. The single member of the genus Clytoceyx, though commonly referred to as the Shovel-billed Kookaburra, is not treated in this article.

Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which sounds uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter — good-natured, but rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the renowned Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae); and maniacal cackling in the case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra (D. leachii). They are generally not closely associated with water, and can be found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, but also in suburban and residential areas near running water and where food can be searched for easily.

There are four known species of kookaburras found in Australia, New Guinea, and the Aru Islands.

Unusual for close relatives, the Laughing and Blue-winged species are direct competitors in the area where their ranges overlap. This suggests that the two species, though having common stock, evolved in isolation (possibly during a period when Australia and New Guinea were more distant — see Australia-New Guinea) and were only brought back into contact in relatively recent geological times.

Australia - Blue-winged Kookaburra

Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii).

Sent by Haining, a postcrosser from Australia.

This is from Wikipedia : The Blue-winged Kookaburra, Dacelo leachii, is a large species of kingfisher native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea.

Measuring around 40 cm (16 in), it is slightly smaller than the more familiar Laughing Kookaburra. It has cream-coloured upper- and underparts barred with brownish markings. It has blue wings and brown shoulders and blue rump. It is sexually dimorphic, with a blue tail in the male, and a rufous tail with blackish bars in the female.

The adult Blue-winged Kookaburra measures around 38 to 42 cm (15-17 in) in length and weighs 260 to 330 g. Compared to the related Laughing Kookaburra, it is smaller, lacks a dark mask, has more blue in the wing, and striking white eye. It has a heavier bill than its larger relative. The head and underparts are cream-coloured with brownish streaks. It is sexually dimorphic, with a blue tail in the male, and a rufous tail with blackish bars in the female. Immature birds have more prominent brown bars and marks in their plumage, giving a 'dirty' appearance, and their eyes are predominantly brown for the first two years of life.

The call has been described as a maniacal cackling or barking.

Australia - Wildflowers of Australia

STATE AND NATIONAL FLORAL EMBLEMS.
Clockwise : Sturt's Desert Rose (NT), Blue Gum (TAS), Pink Heath (VIC), Waratah (NSW), Cooktown Orchid (QLD), Sturt's Desert Pea (SA), Red and Green Kangaroo Paw (WA), Royal Bluebell (ACT), Golden Wattle (AUS).

Sent by Wendy, a postcrosser from Dandenong in Australia.

Australia - Koalas Australia

Koalas Australia.

Sent by Kristie fron New South Wales in Australia.

This is from Wikipedia : The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae.

The koala is found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia, from near Adelaide to the southern part of Cape York Peninsula. Populations also extend for considerable distances inland in regions with enough moisture to support suitable woodlands. The koalas of South Australia were largely exterminated during the early part of the 20th century, but the state has since been repopulated with Victorian stock. The koala is not found in Tasmania or Western Australia.

The word koala comes from the Dharuk gula. Although the vowel /u/ was originally written in the Latin alphabet as "oo" (in spellings such as coola or koolah), it was changed to "oa" possibly due to an error. The word is erroneously said to mean "doesn't drink".

The scientific name of the koala's genus, Phascolarctos, is derived from Greek phaskolos "pouch" and arktos "bear". Its species name, cinereus, is Latin and means "ash-coloured".

Although the koala is not a bear, English-speaking settlers from the late 18th century first called it koala bear due to its similarity in appearance to bears. Although taxonomically incorrect, the name koala bear is still in use today outside Australia — its use is discouraged because of the inaccuracy in the name. Other descriptive English names based on "bear" have included monkey bear, native bear, and tree-bear.

Australia - Flag of Australia

THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAG
On the top left-hand corner is the Union Jack, below is the seven-pointed Federation Star, and on the right is the Southern Cross.

Sent by Emma, a Swap-Bot partner from Australia.

Australia - Outback Australia

Construction of the 3,000km Rabbit Proof Fences commenced in 1901 and took seven years to complete.

Sent by Marilyn, a WiP partner from Perth in Australia.

This is from Wikipedia : The Outback is the vast, remote, arid area of Australia, although the term colloquially can refer to any lands outside the main urban areas. The term "the outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas named "the bush".

Australia - Aborigines

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES
Ancient traditions and craft still thrive among modern day Aborigines.

Sent by Maxine, a postcrosser from Australia.

Australia - Aborigines

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES
Ancient traditions and craft still thrive among modern day Aborigines.

Sent by James from Macomb in Michigan, USA.

Australia - Wildlife Of Australia

The shores of this island continent, Australia, enclose fascinating wildlife. Left to right: Whiptail wallabies: Platypus; Koala.

We sent to a postcrosser in Australia and we didn't expect to receive this from her. Thanks Rosemary.