Thursday, March 25, 2021

Random Memories of Australia - Part 10

      It has been fun going through the pictures from our 2018 visit to Australia, and since COVID has thwarted two subsequent attempts to return, memories rekindled have been very welcome.
     Here are a few more of Australia's spectacular birds.

Variegated Fairywren (Malurus lamberti)

      These tiny birds, colourful, bright, energetic, feisty and promiscuous in the extreme, are enchanting!


      We did not see Variegated Fairywren frequently, so when we did the event was even more special than it might have been if it had been a daily occurrence.
     It inhabits dense scrubby vegetation and seldom gave us an unimpeded view, and even then by the time Miriam had the camera cocked it had flitted back into cover.


     The male above is unmistakable, but the female is frustratingly similar to a female Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneua), especially for visiting birders who are not used to seeing it. 


     I am fairly certain that the individual above is a female Variegated Fairywren, spotted in the same general area where we had sighted the male only moments before. 
     And unlike her male counterpart, she posed in full view. She gets full marks for that!

Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus)

     Cracticus, the generic name for Grey Butcherbird, means "loud-voiced" and is particularly appropriate for this noisy species.


     The individual above announced its presence long before we saw it, as it engaged in a fierce squabble with a Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) for occupancy of a potential nest hole in a tree. 
     Butcherbird is a bit of a pejorative term, perhaps, assigned by humans who disliked its habit of preying on small songbirds - even as they ate their lambchops lovingly grilled on the barbecue.


     This male angled its head to view us with appropriate disdain!
     In a functioning ecosystem the balance between predator and prey serves to maintain a healthy and viable population of both, assuring that the carrying capacity is not exceeded. 
     The female of the species is a little more subdued one might conclude, although that hook-tipped bill is a reminder that she too is a formidable hunter.



Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus)

     The soft, fluffy-looking plumage of this species reminds me of the similar first impression of Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) and it is a very appealing bird, the sort that young children would like to cuddle.


     It is predominantly an aerial feeder, very adept at catching insects on the wing. It competently takes bees as prey and for this reason has been declared a pest in the vicinity of apiaries. While one might understand, and possibly sympathize with an individual beekeeper, it is remarkable that we domesticate (if that is even possible with bees) the prey of this species, in effect setting out a feast, and then curse the bird as it takes advantage of the food on hand. 


     My vote is cast in favour of the woodswallow!

Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae)

     The distinctive black mask of this species, giving the impression of a highway robber of yore, is responsible for its name. Perhaps today compliance with COVID prevention measures might be a more appropriate association!


     Male and female are quite similar in appearance, but the mask of the female is greyer and less pronounced.
     This species has an easy, undulating flight, either over the canopy, or low over grass in breezes.
     We considered ourselves fortunate to discover an occupied nest.



Australian Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis)

     As its name implies, this species is characterized by its loud whistle, or series of whistles, often ending in a whip-crack sound. 


     No doubt, there is logic behind the song, but to us it seemed that the males sang for the pure joy of doing so - and because they could! We always located this species in forested areas and generally heard it before we saw it. And it was delightful! It seemed to throw its whole body into making the most joyous sound imaginable. 


     I doubt that a female whistler would be able to resist the blandishments of these handsome suitors with their seductive song! May they get together often and produce the next generation of choristers of the forest!
     They put on quite a show for these Canadian visitors!

Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus)

     Our first attempt to see this bird was an exercise in frustration; we saw a little movement, a few leaves shaking, a hint of a bird, a loud whip-crack. But not much else.
     Here is what it says in The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (2012), Pizzey and Knight: "Noisy but secretive". Both qualities were true; it was certainly noisy, but it was determined not to show itself.
     Imagine our great surprise, and excitement verging on exultation, when we checked into our accommodation at Calalla Bay, NSW to see this individual in full view on the lawn.


     It pranced, ran, cavorted, tossed leaves aside, probed for insects, without heed to us, and generally did everything it is not supposed to do. It even posed for a picture or two.


     Sometimes you get lucky!

      


David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

76 comments:

  1. I think birds (of most species) delight in proving the writers of tomes about them wrong.
    I do hope that you can get back to Oz. Soon. I am sure that as well as old friends there are plenty of new birds to delight you.

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  2. Hi David, what impressive birds you saw. Tha variegated wren is so beautiful, my fave today, but that handsome whipbird is great, how lucky to be able to enjoy it up close. Armchair travel and photos are our only possibilities to get out just now, let's hope things soon get better and we can see places in real life again. Till then, we can enjoy wonderful photos and memories! Hugs to you both, Valerie

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  3. Il y'a tellement de beaux oiseaux en Australie, vous en avez vu beaucoup.
    Le dernier est très joli et rare si je comprend bien.
    Bonne journée

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  4. Yes, the covid gives us a lot of challenges, David. I'm sure you want to travel a lot of places. Let's hope it will be possible in the future.
    The Dusky Woodswallow is my favotite today.

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  5. Hi David.

    You show super beautiful special and colored birds.
    Very nice to see all this.

    Thanks for letting us watch.

    Greetings from Patricia.

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  6. Australia, the land of the birds!

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  7. Hari Om
    ....am aghast at that whip bird!!! All my years having them live close by me, sightings were rare and photographs nil!!!!! Love that call, though. As I do the butcherbird. Similar to the magpies, they can become 'familiar' and I had one in my yard who used to tease Jade and Jasper by sitting above and dropping the seeds from the liquid amber on their heads! I have no idea why. (They pretty much ignored him after a while.) He had the most beautiful voice though and in the mornings particularly joined in with Maggie for that truly Australian chorus... YAM xx

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  8. Your shares are all beautiful bird photos. I try so had to draw a bird but just cannot get their proportions correct. You keep tempting me to try.

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  9. Hi David, beautiful photos of the birds in Australie. I like your header. We hope we can soon travel.

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    1. We have now received our first vaccine so maybe that day is getting a little closer.

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  10. Hi David – wonderful name and quite a delightful chap to look at; the hooked tip of the Butcher birds is very ominous; the Dusky Woodswallow does look to be very cuddly; what fun to see the Masked Woodswallow’s nest; the Australian Golden Whistler has gorgeous name – must have been wonderful to see … then the Eastern Whipbird: true to its name … I’m so pleased one appeared to pose for you. You were certainly lucky with this particular bird – must have been so much for the two of you.
    Thank you – another delightful collection … Miriam’s photos are exceptional, while your running commentary – a pleasure. All the best - Hilary

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  11. That must have been a great trip! Love your header photo of the toucan too. Glad you enjoyed my Quebec City post this morning!

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  12. The bird with the mask made me smile for its relevance to our covid-19 days. However, it appears from your description that they're not practicing social distancing when looking for food!

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  13. The whipbird -- what a treat! And well worth waiting for. He's so handsome.

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  14. Wonderful bird pictures, as always. I especially love that Golden Whistler.

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  15. Great trip down memory lane David. I had forgotten about the formidable bill on the Butcherbird.

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  16. all photos are awesome.... love the most first and second photos.

    Have a wonderful weekend

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  17. Beautiful birds, it's a lovely display that you shared, thank you!

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  18. The Eastern Whipbird call is a constant sound on our rainforest walks. We continue to be amazed that the whip crack [male] is so closely followed by the coo coo of the female.

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  19. Hello Both,
    Another wonderful series of images from Australia, that is some formidable bill on the butcher bird.
    Lets hope it won't be over long before you can re visit.
    You stay safe and well.
    John

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  20. Buenas noches David, ¡que precioso reportaje! he podido admirar una serie de pájaros que jamás había visto y cuál de ellos el más hermoso. Que aves tan espectaculares tiene Australia.
    Ha sido todo un placer este pequeño recorrido.
    Espero que os encontréis bien y disfrutando en la medida de lo posible de la primavera.
    Un fuerte abrazo estimado y compadre David.

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  21. Querido amigo muchas gracias por mostrarnos tan hermosas aves y compartir tus conocimientos, para personas como yo que aman las aves pero que no entiendo casi nada es un placer leerte. Las fotos son preciosas. Un enorme abrazo para ti y para Miriam.

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  22. I enjoy your posts immensely--both the photos and your descriptions. It almost makes them move or sing for me. ;)

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  23. they really have a lot of beautiful birds in Australia. Love the color ful wren. I did not see the Variegated Fairywren but have good shots of the Superb. :)

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  24. Hello, how are you Professor David!
    I love all the birds of Australia and your country too,
    but for "cottony" the one I like the most is the dark swallow,
    yes, how beautiful it is!
    hope you continue to enjoy the beautiful birds, the beautiful
    spring flowers
    and the milder weather. Hugs across the ocean and may a thousand
    love birds be born singing happily from the lungs! 💖💖🌸🌸
    💖💖🌸🌸💖💖🌸🌸😘

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  25. This series from Australia is endless, it is also fantastic for the number of species and their beauty, they never cease to amaze me every time I visit your blog. Excellent work, thanks for sharing

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    1. It is a remarkable assemblage of birds, Hernán, like no other on earth. I had hoped to return to Australia last year, and again this year, but COVID eliminated those plans. Maybe next year......

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  26. The fairywren, so sweet. It definitely has a wren's beak.

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  27. My favorite is the fairywren. Such a perfect name.

    Love,
    Janie

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  28. Sometimes you make me want to visit Australia - just to see all their different birds!

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  29. Hello David,
    What wonderful types of birds you have seen.
    None of the species can be found in the Netherlands.
    I enjoyed it.
    Greetings Irma

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  30. Love the fairywren, pretty colour.
    Always good to see our birds on your blog..

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  31. the birds are so exotic looking to me, i have only heard those loud birds in austrailan movies. the hook beak does look formidable and I feel sorry for them having the name butcherbird, but that is what our hawks are, the butcher the birds right in our back yard.

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    1. There is a whole negative connotation to the term "butcher", but they are just birds going about their business, doing what they do to survive.

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  32. Otra maravillosa serie de pájaros, que me encantaría visitar en Australia. Abrazos querido amigo David.

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  33. Hello David,:=) A wonderful series of bird captures. Australia has so many beautiful birds, and I really enjoy seeing them on your blog. The delightful and colourful Variegated male Fairy Wren is very pretty, and also the Dusky Wood-swallow, they are my favourite small birds. Of the larger birds, I think The Golden Whistler is absolutely stunning, and the comical looking Eastern Whipbird made me smile. Luck was on your side, and lucky for us too. I hope you will be able to go back to Australia very soon.

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  34. No wonder you are itching to return to 'the land down-under', David when there are all these fabulous birds waiting for you there. Great shots of these birds, too. The Grey Butcherbird is very impressive and looks to be well-equipped for its feeding preferences. I think that I must still be a child when I look at that Dusky Woodswallow! I have just checked out that Eastern Whipbird on Xeno Canto - wonderful!!

    Best wishes to you both - - - Richard

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  35. Hi David :)) Your Dusky Woodswallow is just gorgeous! Those are some lovely photos. And I think your photos of the Eastern Whipbird qualify as "Motion and Movement" so I added your post's link to the widget on my blog! :) I'm glad you liked my roadrunner! I've never seen one in person, but I've seen photos. And I'm sure they don't say "beep beep" as cartoons would have us believe lol! :)

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  36. Ohh such a great amont of beautiful birds!i can say i love them all.Wonder how they chirp too

    I wish you a nice weekend David and Miriam!Give a big hug to Lilly!

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    1. I will make sure Lily is in the next post, Anita.

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  37. Yes, I agree that the Dusky Woodswallow would get my vote as well as the prettiest little bird in this post. But, in fact, all the birds are lovely close-up as I doubt if I would ever have the opportunity to see them other then your blog posts...at least for the foreseeable future that is.

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    1. I doubt that international travel is going to open up much this year, but I am hoping that by 2022 when most people should have been vaccinated, it will again be possible. We'll have to wait and see, I guess.

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  38. I love that bright and colourful bird in your blog header. All the beautiful are unique in their own way. Eastern Whipbird sounds interesting and it has a weird hairdo.

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  39. What a beautiful bird the first with all that blue.
    But you have been able to photograph so many beautiful species David.
    Very nice to see.
    Have a nice weekend, greetings Tinie

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  40. What a nice Dusky Woodswallow , David! It's so fluffy and pretty.
    Sure you havd had a wonderful time in Australia.

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  41. Hello David,

    Wow, another great collection of Australian Birds. They are all awesome, I could never pick a favorite, I loved them all. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

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  42. Again some great birds from the other side of the world. A part that I am almost sure never to be able to vissit. So thank you for sharing your experiance and photos of these birds David.
    Take care,
    Roos

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  43. I seriously can hardly believe some of these birds (and others) exist. Who could have created the beauty and the colours and shape and the sheer magic of birds.
    The Variegated Fairywren - beyond anything I would imagine. And the Dusky Woodswallow - oh my, just a perfect bird. How marvellous to see the antics of the Eastern Whipbird right in front of you.
    Thanks for these great photos. I think you must have waited for quite a while to get these magical pictures.

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  44. Wow these photos are amazing. Such a joy to see them.

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  45. Thanks for introducing some new birds, I have never seen.

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  46. At least you have BEEN to Australia and can re-live your memories even if you can't go now!
    I would love to have seen all these birds! I quite enjoyed seeing them on this post. Thank you.

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  47. Those are some amazing birds!

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  48. Your banner looks amazing! The Toucan looks like a stuffed toy it is so perfect! I appreciate that you ID everything for us! Enjoy your weekend!

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  49. Lucky indeed and another wonderful post on the Birds of Australia. Sorry to hear this is the end of this series, but will look forward to what you come up with as a replacement. Covid has made it hard to go to find, so maybe local birds are on your mind ... Wonderful Series, David. Thank you ...

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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    1. Actually, I might be able to squeeze out one or two more.

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  50. Although all these birds are so beautiful, my favorites were the first, the Variegated fairywren and the last, the Eastern Whipbird.
    Great shots

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  51. The bird with the helmet is really interesting.

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  52. Absolutely beautiful...Happy weekend...

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  53. Such beautiful bird memories. Australian birds are so interesting.

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  54. Wide repertoire of birds that are mostly unknown to us as we have not visited the Australian continent. excellent work David

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  55. Lovely assortment of bird photos. Hopefully you'll be able to get back there within the next year or two.

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  56. I had to laugh when I first spotted that photo of the Yellow-throated Toucan. The markings on its bill gave it the appearance of one of those blow-up pool toys or yard decorations. That was only at first glance, though. It's far more impressive than that. The Whip Bird looks to be quite a character. I'm so glad you were able to see one and enjoy its antics.

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  57. Wow! These birds are incredible! And your photos are awesome.
    Congratulatios and greetings, Alasco.

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  58. "Random Memories of Australia - Part 10"
    Lovely post, and I do so hope you will be able to visit again.
    The birds are so colourful.

    All the best Jan

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  59. Very nice memories, thanks! I think the 'masked woodswallow' pictures show a black-faced cuckooshrike.

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  60. PS Great choice to visit Callala Bay - one of my favourite places in New South Wales and the richest set of birds I encountered there.

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  61. Beautiful pataki and your photos. We all dream of traveling. We publish our posts thanks to photos from the archive.
    Greetings.

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  62. Hello David,
    your opening photo with this beautiful bird with that blue head is really an eye catcher !!!! But below that are even more beautiful photos of the kingfisher and then again beautiful feathered friends 😍
    The Psophodes olivaceus is awesome. This bird immediately reminded me of the cartoon with the "roadrunner". Really pretty :-)
    Dear greetings and a kiss from me,
    Helma

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