Spring brings change, with breeding and the promise of new beginnings for soon to emerge life forms, that will cement the relationship and activate commitment in bird pairs, in a similar way to humans. The above male Superb Fairy-wren is morphing into his breeding plumage, in anticipation of mating with surrounding females. After possibly breeding with several on heat females he will eventually transition into a faithful husband and father. Eventually he will resemble the male in full breeding plumage below, also shown with the female who shows now plumage change.
As we add the final part to our NSW western bird tour we will focus on the Fairy-wren, as it appeared so many times in so many places on out journey. I will share some footage we took will visiting a zoo. Interesting enough, we visit this zoo mainly to see the wild birds, and more interesting is the fact that this zoo has no caged bird exhibits at all. We purely look for the birds in the trees and parks within the zoo grounds and often find many interesting avian wonders.
These birds like many small birds appear to have a much faster world than ours being able to think, see and hear better and faster than us. They can solve problems faster and sometimes better than we can. Their brains may be smaller but they are jam packed with many more neurons and for many their brains are actually larger in proportion to their body size. Notice the accuracy of this bird’s about turn.
Another amazing small bird, one of our smallest, usually makes its nest by tunneling into earthen embankments. We discovered a Striated Pardolote family which had used sandstone holes inside caves in the Pilliga NP. These caves were used by our native inhabitants for shelter in past generations. This small insectivorous bird has a rapid flight and amazing sense of accuracy when it flies to its nesting hole. It is difficult to get a perfect shot die to their speed.
Here the pair rest in a tree nearby as they watch us watch their nesting hole. These birds suffer much at the hands of larger more aggressive Honeyeaters because they not only eat Lerps as Honeyeaters do, they eat the larvae as well, which makes a large part of its diet. Many birds have Many Honeyeaters have learned to extract the Lerps without eating the larvae so as to produce more, and birds such as Miners and Wattlebird do not like this. at the hands of other birds as well as having their nests destroyed because they sometimes choose mounds of earth that construction men have created and moving and transporting. Is it any wonder they and the Spotted cousin are on the decline.
Here are some shots of other Striates we saw a few days later. The last bird below is immature and paler, lacking the adult markings. Both male and female look similar.
Another small and smart looking bird we always see in the same spot each time we visit the zoo is this Sacred Kingfisher, our most common south eastern variety. Many of these birds are currently nesting inside arboreal termite nests, as do Kookaburras, the largest species of Kingfisher.
One large Honeyeater we always love to see out west which was present in large numbers around the zoo and constantly calling was the Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater. There were many flowering eucalypts around the animal pens for these birds to feed from, and they were showing feeding aggression to other birds.
The Rainbow Lorikeet were also enjoying the blossom.
Also walking about the zoo was this Yellow-billed Spoonbill, another inland bird we seldom see. A freshwater wader found in small numbers and usually alone unless breeding, as this one alone enjoying the Hypo’s pond.
We hit the jackpot with Woodswallows as we were leaving the Pilliga, through burnt out areas. It was encouraging to see these hardy insectivorous birds come back to nest there regardless. We saw the Dusky, Black-faced and White-browed Woodswallow, all living in the same area. Notice the last photo where the male is displaying ready to find a female to mate with. These birds are notorious at this time for this. Notice his cloaca is quite deliberately exposed as he calls for attention, indicating to any females on heat he is ready for action.
Another small insectivorous western bird was the Yellow-rumped Thornbill. It also jumps along quickly similar to the Fairy-wren. Listen to the background call of the female Magpie in the video clip as she mimics the call of the Friarbird, an unusual finding, which means she was probably raised with these birds being nearby, as most Magpie behaviour is learnt and Magpies, like many Australian birds, can mimic.
Before we came to our last stop off town Orange we found this immature Eastern Crimson Rosella sitting by its nesting hole as many young birds do. They return to the nest for security until they are mature. You will notice the difference between it and the parent below. The blochiness as it gradually gains its beautiful bright mature plumage loosing its protective green.
You may wonder why we have a saying in Australia ” You silly Galah !” which is used to caution people acting like larrikins and tripping themselves up or others because of their mischief. Here’s an example of this bird in action, and it has no other Galah in sight to show off to. These grain eating birds are in flocks of hundreds our west gluttons for eating spilled wheat from the side of the road. Silly, because when a car comes along, they have eaten too much and cannot lift off the road in time and you know what comes next… yes feathers everywhere.
Finally, we made a special visit to Forbes to check out a wetland the Parkes Visitor Centre (a place also where my book is sold) guide recommended to us to check out. This was a highlight, to view several special birds, even if all of these photos were taken from a distance. The wetland lake was full due to recent drought breaking rains. The main town feature was this artform of a Goanna, which stands stark out in the middle of nowhere..
What we did see were a family of Pink-eared Duck with several ducklings in toe. Many Grey Teal are also present breeding, one of Australia’s most numerous waterbirds, particularly in northern Queensland. What I did not realize until viewing my photos at home was that I had captured in the photos a lone male breeding Blue-billed Duck, a rare find and a bird we were disappointed we had not seen while there. You will need to click on each photo to view it. These were unexpected blessings which we would have missed without the tip-off, as we were not aware of these wetlands.
Both a pair of White-bellied Sea-Eagle and a lone Peregrine Falcon sat resting on dead tree tops in the swamp. Wetlands are always a good place to find raptors since waterbirds are very exposed and easy takes for marauding swooping bird eaters, especially with their young. This is one good reason they are granted large clutches, for their specie survival, as some loss will always be imminent.
Lastly, by the water was this very noisy songbird the Rufous Songlark that would not stay still long enough for me to click the shutter. It seemed to see my lens as a threat every time I pointed it, it would move. I did manage these shots while it briefly rested. Boy it could sing. I think it was nesting nearby and trying to divert me.
It was a most enjoyable road-trip and we were blessed that we were able to do it during Covid while restrictions were still in place, as many are still. The fact that we lacked both international and interstate tourists meant places were less crowded.
Thank you for touring with us, we do hope you enjoyed the ride and the rest of the week !
Also, bear in mind that with many who are or have recently been in lock-down for an extended period, your Vitamin D levels may have become quite low and a supplement may be needed for a short time, as this vitamin is essential for Calcium absorption.
Also, don’t forget the perfect Christmas and Thanksgiving present for all ages is my book “What Birds Teach Us” as it encourages an appreciative, thankful and joyous attitude throughout. Yes the book is available here online for both Australian and overseas residents. Many from various countries have purchased it and have shared how it blessed them.
Error
This video doesn’t exist
Loved those Superb-Fairy Wrens every since first introduced to them in photos. Your video of those energetic little wonders of creation are amazing. Oh, to have that much energy! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lee, Yes they certainly are energetic, which makes them always a challenge to get a clear photo or video of them. They are constantly on the lookout as they easily predatored by many of the omnivorous territorial birds that share the same area. There rapid movement and fast neurological activity assists their protection. Who would think eating tiny insects would give one so much energy !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your road trip has been fabulous, Ashley! Love all your photos, especially the Striated Pardolote family using sandstone holes for nesting. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Donna, it was great to finally get out and have a break, even during Covid. We are trying to find another week where we can do it again, but my wife is busy with her work at present, as the end of year is. Glad you are enjoying your journey and this special time in life. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Ash,
Thank you so much for this latest installment on your road trip!
So many amazing birds – each with their own wonderful qualities – it’s impossible to choose a “favorite.” I appreciate how you put the spotlight on all birds and not just the especially flashy or cute ones 🙂 I couldn’t help but cheer out loud for the Fairy wren when he overcame his obstacle – I’m so glad his tenacity and bravery to try a different method had a wonderful result.
How you closed the post: “Sometimes the answer is staring us in the face but we are looking at the problem the wrong way. To the Fairy-wren the problem became a challenge, which in the solving thereof became a learning exercise, which would benefit him at a later date. ” This touched me especially, given the current circumstances. It is a very good reminder and lesson too.
We continue to keep you and Mrs H in our prayers and I’ll be sending an email update soon!
May you both have a blessed week ahead!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Takami, I just keep learning so much from the birds, especially since Jesus told us to study them, and their behaviour. Bird behaviour is the latest study trend with many scientists today as we are discovering how amazing they really are, and how complex, which supports our creation viewpoint. I am delighted you have been encouraged by the post, it blesses me to know this. Thanks also for your prayers and blessings, we do the same for you daily also my friend 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great series to share.
One would have to have a very cold heart not to be enamoured by the antics of the Superb Fairywrens. We have been able to spot quite a few new clutches on our walks during lockdown. One of the benefits of going the same way each day, you get to know the locals.
The Spiny Cheeked visits down here but often only in tiny numbers, I have to travel a bit further north for regulars.
Same with Rufous Songlarks, but at least they are easy to find with their rattling vocals. 🙂
Good luck with the book, hope you can sort out the challenges. Covid has crippled so many things, for so many people. Each day i have to be thankful that we were under pressure in Melbourne for over 4 months, but at least there is come control and sense coming of it all at last, I despair for the folk in Europe, US and England.
We might get some sunshine this week and have a chance to return to the field to pick up our pieces.
Regards
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks David, we are so glad you are both able to get out to the office again as it is very difficult to do the sort of work you do from home 🙂 The Fairy-wrens are quite visible at present having their spring fling and are rated as one of the top most popular Aussie birds overseas and here. The costs of printing and publishing have soared which is currently under negotiation toing and froing to strike a happy medium. I was quite blessed to get my 2nd edition published mid Covid so I have found out. Hoping you get some nice weather again, it has been wet and windy here for a week and they say we can expect a wet and stormy Summer as La Nina kicks in. At least the birds will have water, I just hope it does not ruin their nests and create too much of a challenge for the fledglings as the fires and storms did last year and many nests failed or were incinerated in the Spring-Summer fires. We were going to stay in Capertee NP to observe the Regent Honeyeater about this time last year for my birthday, but thankfully I had a bad feeling about it and cancelled and the Wollemi NP fire broke out. We were saddened and concerned we saw not one Rufous Fantail this year during Winter as they are a highlight for us, and wondered if they were lost in the fires down south on the coast. Enjoy your week, and I guess you have a heightened appreciation of what you have missed having been away from it for so long.
LikeLike
Nice series of photos Ashley. It can be quite challenging photographing very small birds, you’ve done well. I especially enjoyed the pics of the striated pardalotes coming and going to their homes in the sandstone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue, yes small active birds always present a challenge, especially with my eyes not so good now, I am thankful for any focused shots I get these days. The Pardies are my wife’s favorite bird also, she get excited when we see them. We usually only see Striateds over the ranges, and mainly Spotteds along the coast. Enjoy your weekend. I have enjoyed your blogs on the walks around Tassie 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ashley. It’s good to get out and about and explore. We’ve come across some really beautiful spots here in Tassie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like you had good weather for your trip. Western NSW has great birds, thanks for sharing your pics. I am very envious of your sighting of the spiney cheeked honeyeater.
LikeLike
Thanks Mim, for your welcome comment, yes it was perfect weather for most of the trip and only rained on the journey home. We always love seeing the Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater when inland. We saw large numbers of them a couple of years ago at Uluru where we would hear them calling to each other loudly each morning as they fed from the eucalypt blossom. We do hope you are out and about getting stronger and recovering, you are in our prayers daily.
LikeLike
I love your Superb-Fairy Wren! Of course, I like all the others too. Great post, my friend. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks HJ, for your encouraging comment, the Fairy-wrens are real favourite with most people world wide. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person