My name is Ricki Coughlan. I work as an Avian Consultant, Bird Guide and Nature Presenter. I’ve been birding in the Sydney region on and off since the early 1970’s, but have also done plenty of outback birding in NSW, Northern Territory, Queensland and the Kimberley region of Western Australia. In 2004-5 I was the Warden of Broome Bird Observatory. Find out more about my work at Redtail.

My key areas of interest are avian evolution, systematics, behaviour and biogeography. Although all birds fascinate me, I’m particularly into the Charadriiformes (mostly sandpipers, plovers & terns), Acanthizidae (little brown birds), Maluridae (fairy-wrens and kin) and Ptilonorhynchidae (bowerbirds). If I had another life, it would be the Pachycephalidae (whistlers), Columbiformes (pigeons) and Pomatostomidae (Australian babblers).

Current projects

I’m currently researching Limpet predation by Ruddy Turnstones on rocky headlands, but also have a few other goodies waiting in the wings.

Current websites

I’ve created and maintain a number of conservation sites on a pro bono basis. These include: Save The Kimberley and the Australasian Wader Studies Group.

Other interests

When I’m not doing something with birds, I’m into flower & insect photography, collecting fish fossils, running a busy web design business and getting out for a run. Musicians who I’m currently enjoying: Elliot Smith, Lou Reed, John Butler Trio, The Pigram Brothers, The Smiths and Yeah Yeah Yeahs (oh yeah, and just about anything the Brandenburg Orchestra does).