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Continuing our recent western NSW tour of the Corner Country I will present some more of the birds unique to this region of Australia. The three main bushes that populate our desert regions in the outback are Saltbush, Mallee and Mulga. Each has its own areas of habitation. Most of our colourful Parrot family live in the driest hottest arid regions of our country, including the Mallee Ringneck, which is a Parrot species so named because of coloured plumage ring around its neck. We were delighted to see this one enjoying the warmth of the late afternoon Winter sun. Click on image to enlarge it.

Another interesting resident of these dry forest areas is the Apostlebird, named because it was originally found in tight family groups of about 12 birds. These unusual birds have similar tight family breeding structures similar to the White-winged Chough, as they are both very community minded.

The Zebra Finch are amazing tiny birds of the dry arid and desert regions of the outback, which thrive on seed, insects and very little water per day. Their flight speed, even in the hot sun is amazing. They are a beautiful bird and have their name due to the stripes on their tail. The male has the rufous face markings.

These birds are the predominant Finch species in the outback and are found in large flocks, which contributes to their survival. The flock is a means of protection, breeding and finding food and water sources. They can extraxt water from wet sand as seen below, since they need but a drop for survival. Listen and you will hear their unique Finch call. Females can view ultra-violet light with their special vision pigment which allows them to better appreciate the male of the species and see their reds and orange colours more vibrantly.

One of the features of the desert on our visit was the beautiful fields of wild flowers blooming in th early desert Spring. Here are some of the varieties we saw.

We were able to sample some ripe Quandong fruit bush tucker growing by the Menindee Lakes on the Darling River. The red fruit is ripe and tastes lovely. It is a good source of Vitamin C which the native First Nations People fed on for their health.

The two main Honeyeaters seen were the White-plumed Honeyeater and Singing Honeyeater.

The best places to view birds in arid and desert landscapes is of course near waterholes, springs and billabongs. Here the birds gather for water and refreshment from bathing. There is often green bushes bearing fruit growing around the water. We saw three special birds we never see firstly a small flock of Black-tailed Native Hen.

A flock of Cockatiel parrots in flight.

But to top it off we were excited to see the rarely seen or photographed Flock Bronzewing. Known as the desert pigeon it is only found in the most arid areas of our country on the dry hot Gibber Plains and inland desert areas and are extremely human shy. The males have most unusual facial markings with distinct black and white faces. Our previous shots of these birds in the Kimberley were not as close as these. Note the barren red rocky ground which is called Gibber Plain.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy the birds !

Next week I will give my final part to this series. Here is the small lake spring in the desert wilderness on the Gibber Plains or Gibbers, which attracts many species of animals and birds being their only source of water for many miles. King David, out of his love for God writes from one of his Psalms:

We may experience a time of the Dark Night of the Soul, where we may feel deserted, no body cares, afraid, empty, dry, alone or lost, feeling like a very thirsty person in a dry desert place in our lives. We search for the water of life to refresh and revive us to enable us to move forward again and regain our resilience. These are times when our Most Gracious God reaches out to us to extend his hand of love to us with hope that we will reconnect with him and know and love him as he does us.

“Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,  but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” – John 4:13,14 NIV

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;” – Isaiah 40:11

Don’t forget with Christmas just around the corner, and/or that special gift for your loved one’s Birthday, my beautiful bird books showcasing and introducing our amazing Australian birds are on sale now here online and recently also available in the Broken Hill Visitor Information Centre. Many of my blog Followers have purchased here online and can testify the books can be sent to international addresses.

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Adv. Dip. in Counselling and Family Therapy.

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And learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.

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