Category Archives: Birds

Birds

Black-backed Magpie

Nikon D3000 on auto
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I was taking photos of bees when I spotted the magpie on the other side of the fence. The lane down the side of our house is being graded. No idea if the intention is to seal it, or not. Mr R is thrilled, as the road has been widened by a metre – he will have less grass to mow.

While idly Google-ing, I read that if the male magpie is taken away and relocated the female will often take a new mate withing hours. After all, she needs a new fellow to help feed her chicks and guard her territory. The new male often does a better job of feeding her chicks than their father. Probably because he was too busy swooping kids which is why he would be relocated in the first place.

Thanks for looking. Have a good day. 🙂

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Birds

Superb Fairy-wren

 

You know, until recently, I thought the Suberb Fairy-wren (usually called blue wren) in my garden migrated. It would vanish and then reappear towards the end of winter, heralding the arrival of Spring. I did wonder about the fairy-wrens with which he consorted for they stayed. I felt such an idiot  –  me, who thought I knew a bit about birds – when I discovered he has been here all the time. He changes his plumage. I watched for the change this year, and sure enough, I saw it. There is always only the one, but his little group of females and young grows each year.

 

blue wren

 

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I’ve been trying to catch him in full plumage all week and this morning he was still in place when I fetched my camera (Nikon D3000). He was outside the back door. Curious at the sound of the shutter, he flew up to the window and posed for me. Needless to say, I was thrilled with the images, despite the grubby window pane.

 

superb blue wren

outside the window, on the grapevine

 

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Thanks for looking. Do have a good day.  🙂

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Birds

Strepera graculina: Pied Currawong

pied currawong and ivy berries

The Pied Currawong rarely visits my backyard, but they arrive in numbers while the ivy is loaded with its calorie-rich black berries. They normally live in a wooded area up the lane behind our home.

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The photos of the Pied Currawong were taken through my grubby kitchen window with the Nikon D3000, on auto. Cropped and sharpened in GIMP.

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The Pied Currawong is found in Eastern Australia, from Queensland down to Victoria but not in Tasmania.The Grey Currawong is found in Southern Australia, while the Black Currawong is restricted to Tasmania.

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They eat small birds and can even take baby possums. I had newly hatched starlings taken from a nest and I suspect these birds were the culprits. The starlings abandoned my yard then, and have only just returned. I’m getting visits from a grey thrush,too, which is exciting.

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currawong

I love its bright yellow eyes. Do you have a favourite?

Thanks for looking.    🙂

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