aussiebirder

Our backyard has become a nursery for three of our local native bird species that frequent our birdbaths. In the last few days we were surprised to find two juvenile Crested Pigeon emerge with both parents. We thought something was happening again in our courtyard Bottlebrush tree that overhangs the birdbaths, where these birds usually nest each year. We were surprised that we did not notice them till they were just fledged. As we saw them exploring our courtyard together. They were being occasionally fed in the tree by parents. The Crested Pigeon is endemic to Australia and is found all over the mainland even in dry arid desert areas where is feeds mainly on insects, berries and seed. We usually have a new clutch each year, though last year being so wet we did not have one. Click image to enlarge it.

Training the new youngsters to drink at the birdbath begins, but a near collision occurs as they both follow the parent to the large bath and sit around the rim. The parent models how to drink from the bath in true pigeon fashion, as they will become locals at the bath with the many other species, and will have to learn to take their turn at an appropriate time so as to not collide with other users.

You may remember in a previous post in Autumn of nest building being undertaken, which we showed in the video clip below.. We thought that they had abandoned nesting as we could not see much further activity, but to our surprise it was happening.

You will remember me posting about our single juvenile Grey Butcherbird that was struggling to fly and follow its father. The good new is it continues to thrive and is continually behaving like any hungry growing youngster by following dad begging for a feed, though dad tries to evade the constant racket. The father just wanted a quiet drink, which it would have been wise for the youngster to copy.

Our third juvenile addition to our local birdbath community is the Australian Magpie. They have been producing only one bird per clutch the last two years. Magpies, similar to Pigeons and Butcherbirds may average three birds per year, but it varies depending on conditions. Being an extremely wet winter and erratic spring birds sometimes only permit one egg to survive. I was hoping to show a movie of the juvenile at the birdbath with the father but my camera battery was dead due to some fault which I am continuing to investigate. Maybe in the future.

Have a wonderful week and stay safe from heat, storm and fires. It has not been easy for nesting birds this season with sudden changes from heat wave to winter-like conditions, and especially for the many hundreds of acres of native habitat and birds being consumed by many out of control bushfires. Loss of homes, crops and lives has been the result in this dry hot and windy season prior to Christmas.

Click on the image below to find out more or purchase at my Secure Online Checkout or at one of the stores that sell my books listed on my Bookstores page.

In a similar vein to our birdbath birds, we all need a place to refresh and revive ourselves, a shaded cool place to escape the harsh summer heat. A place where one can drink deeply and rest safely in a non threatening environment. A quiet place where one can think, ponder and have a mindful moment to appreciate with gratitude and be joyfully thankful for the many blessings that one’s life has enjoyed, many blessings one has not even been consciously aware of.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths
 for his name’s sake [for the honour, proven faithfulness and trustworthiness of his Name]

Jesus said: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.”

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Adv. Dip. in Counselling and Family Therapy.

Member of Birdlife Australia

To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

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

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed  by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.