Trevor's Birding

Australian Hobby

3 Comments »28th October, 2006; Category: Eagles Hawks and Kites, Garden birds

I was out in the garden a few minutes ago. I was checking to see if the vegetables needed watering. I heard the warning calls of a variety of honeyeaters, especially the New Hollands, and this is usually a signal for me to scan the sky in all directions, looking for a bird of prey.

Sure enough, what looked like an Australian Hobby went skimming across the property at tree level, scaring the smaller birds silly. I can’t be 100% certain it was a Hobby, as I didn’t have my binoculars with me, but the shape, size, wing beat, manner and general appearance indicated that species.
The Australian Hobby (also called Little Falcon) is found throughout Australia but is not common anywhere. I have observed it on a number of occasions up the hill from home, about a kilometre away so it is not an unexpected visitor.

I have not yet been able to get a photo of this species so you will have to click here to see one.

My Most Popular Bird Photos

No Comments »28th October, 2006; Category: Birds, Photos

The family photo gallery has been up and running now for about four months now and we are getting plenty of views (over 90,000 and counting). During that time some of the photos have proved to be very popular.

For those who may have missed these photos, or who are new visitors to this blog, here are the three most viewed bird photos:

1. Mallee Ringneck 361 views

Mallee Ringneck Parrot

2. Eastern Rosella 323 views

Eastern Rosella

3. Noisy Miner 321 views

Noisy Miner at Swanport Reserve

I and the Bird #35

No Comments »27th October, 2006; Category: Carnivals

The latest edition of I and the Bird Carnival has been posted at Migrations. I strongly recommend looking at the birding blogs included in this carnival. I am sure you will find several new sites and plenty of interesting reading.

As usual, my contribution is included, along with several other Australian birders.

Links:

I and the Bird #35 – latest edition of this birding carnival.

Migrations – latest host of I and the Bird Carnival

Something to Laugh About

No Comments »27th October, 2006; Category: Garden birds, Kingfishers

Several weeks ago my wife and I were talking to a friend about the birds in our garden. We were asked if Laughing Kookaburras ever came to visit our garden. Yes, they do from time to time, but when we thought about it, we realised it has been quite a few months – perhaps over a year even – since the last visit.

So it was a delight when one came to pay a short visit a few days ago. The downside was that I happened to be in Adelaide for a conference at the time, so I missed it. So I didn’t get a photo.

The photo below was taken at Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney earlier this year. It was not in an aviary; it was a free flying bird.

Laughing Kookaburra

Bird Word: Axillaries

No Comments »26th October, 2006; Category: Bird Word, General, Glossary

Axillaries: feathers that cover the underside of the wing in the region of the Ã¢â‚¬ËœarmpitÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ of the bird, that is, where the wing joins the body. In some species it is distinctly coloured.

The fact that some species of birds have distinctive coloured axillaries – feathers under the wings (or their ‘armpits’) – is a diagnostic feature. In this area we have Musk and Purple Crowned Lorikeets. They are very hard to identify as they fly bullet-like from tree to tree looking for food.

I think I have the slight difference in their calls nailed, but the distinctive red ‘armpit’ patch tells me it is a Purple Crowned Lorikeet, and the absence of this colour indicates a Musk Lorikeet.

For more in this series of articles check out the Glossary of Bird Words here.

Musk Lorikeet