Gang Gang Cockatoo

All posts tagged Gang Gang Cockatoo

Meeting the Gang Gang Gang – One Foggy Winter’s Day

Posted by aussiebirder on June 17, 2020
Posted in: Australia, Australian Birds, Australian wildlife, Bird Book, Bird watching, Birding, Birds, Birdwatching, Fauna, National Parks, Nature, Nature Reserves, Outings, Sydney, Australia, Uncategorized, wildlife. Tagged: , , , . 18 Comments

Gang Gang Cockatoo male

You may remember last week my wife and I sited 2 female Gang Gang Cockatoo feeding quitely in Barren Grounds NP. Last Thursday, in response to a tip off siting, I left early in the morning, through thick pea soup fog, making my way to the Central Coast area near Gosford in search of a large flock of Gang Gang Cockatoo. The reason we are seeing them, and other cockatoo at this time of year is because they have come down from the mountains for a warmer winter and to eat the seeds from the uneaten pods on the various coastal native and introduced trees. In spring most will return to the mountains to a cooler summer climate. 

On arriving at the exact location the Cockies were last sited, three days before, I was pleasantly delighted to find in this driveway lined with Liquid Amber trees the flock hidden high among the bare branches in the morning sun, munching on the seed pods. The telltale signs of their presence, beside the sound of falling debris, were the hundreds of spent seed pods on the ground. There were many males and several females. The following is an immature male, which is continuing to gain his male red crown  but slowly loosing his orange frontal bands, which are found on females and juvenile birds. Females lack the red head dress.

Sadly the females, were very evasive and constantly hid from my camera, in a similar way to the female King Parrot. This was the only clear shot I got before she saw me and hid.

There language or call has been likened to a squeaky door, and as you can hear they are not far wrong.

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I just admired them as they fed in this very beautiful part of the world, with green moist rainforest surrounding. You will hear the sound of an Eastern Whipbird in the background. 

Gang Gang is the native Australian name for these birds which several Aborigine tribes used. When a word is repeated in their language it usually means many or large number of whatever, such as lots of Gang or large flock of Gang.  I just enjoyed watching the males head dress in the sun…

Watching how this immature male holds the seed pod to his mouth as he crunches it with is intelligently designed beak for the purpose. It is wonderful how God has designed birds to know what their food is because they are actually designed with the equipment, and know how to use it.

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Soon they flock started to be come suddenly startled and took flight.

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There were over 30 birds all suddenly gone, flying back and forth across the valley, so I left, happy that I did actually see them after a 2 hour drive.

Silently in nearby trees Eastern Crimson Rosella also dined on these tasty Liquid Amber fruit.

Leaving after the flock had left, I made my way through the fog to a mountain nature reserve called Girrakool Nature Reserve Loop Track where I shared a coffee and bickie with a female Australian Brush Turkey, who was quite friendly, looking for handouts.

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During my walk along the creek loop track I came across an area of quite noisy communication between several White-cheeked Honeyeater, which are seen here this time of year.

Watch as one of these birds does its staccato call. I love how its tail and whole body are involved, such passion and feeling in their call. Recent ornithological neurological studies show that the feel good endorphin effect, like that we get from laughing or singing or feeling elated is similar when these birds sing or call passionately.

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It was good to see that some nectar producing flowers were out, which was a good sign for the presence of the honeyeater.

As I made my way back I suddenly pulled to the side of the road when I saw this large raptor a Square-tailed Kite circling over  some trees, where various birds fled and chased it, but it continued for some time, as if it had a target in mind. This is not a commonly seen raptor, so it was blessed find. You can see from the tail how it gets its name. 

If this is your first visit to my blog, why not explore my website for helpful birding tips here or find out more about my recent book release here.

As I returned home I was thankful that my journey was fruitful and was able to bring you more of the Gang Gangs in this post. During the loop walk I saw several waterfalls in full flow from recent rains. Considering it was only several months ago we were on water restrictions and deep in drought.

Water is essential to the life of every living thing. Birds build their nests near fresh water, which makes them easy to find. Our lives flow like a waterfall or stream, constantly pouring out to the small part of the world that surrounds us. We have the power to refresh and give life to those we meet each day by our words and body language. Words are powerful and so are our gestures, a smile, a G’day to a stranger, an encouraging acknowledgement of ones taste in dress, or achievements, all give life and add value to the people we meet. We all have a love deficit of some form which needs refilling, because we leak. We can help others overflow when we overflow with love and encouragement. When I was training with Suicide Assist the instructor shared this story after we had all shared why we were doing the course: “I was walking down the street one day and passed a man who looked sad, so I looked him in the eyes and gave him a big smile, and walked on thinking nothing more of it. Several years later, I asked a group of newbies to the course ‘Why they were doing the course ?’ and one man passionately pointed toward me and said: ” Because of this man I am here and alive today, he saved my life with a smile. I was on my way to act out my suicide, and when he smiled, I realised there was more to life, that some one actually cared enough for me to smile. That random act of kindness saved my life, and now I want to help save others like me.”

‘Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.’ – Proverbs 12:25

‘Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.’ – Proverbs 19:17

Enjoy your week, and enjoy getting out and about again. Be thankful with an Attitude of Gratitude and couple this each day with  a deliberate random act of kindness and this will be health and happiness for your body and soul. Who knows how many lives you will bless !

W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

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.

 

Free to Birding Date Again- A Day Trip to Barren Grounds NP

Posted by aussiebirder on June 10, 2020
Posted in: Australia, Australian Birds, Australian wildlife, Bird Book, Bird watching, Birding, Birds, Birdwatching, Fauna, National Parks, Nature, Nature Reserves, Outings, Sydney, Australia, Uncategorized, wildlife. Tagged: , , , , , , . 13 Comments

Gang Gang Cockatoo female/immature feeding on gum nuts.

Last Friday my wife and I filled our Thermos flasks and packed my freshly baked Anzac biscuits to my original recipe (my best ones yet) and drove just over one hour, up to the Southern Highlands for the day on a birding date now that restrictions are lifting. After a lovely breakfast at the Bowral Cafe we made our way to Belmore Falls where we had our morning coffee and bickies, after discovering the amazing absence of birds. It was a perfect Winter’s day, sunny crisp 10°C very quiet, so we basked in the ambiance and serenity of the moment and crunched on another bickie, as there were just a couple of Wattlebirds chasing each other.

This part of the Great Dividing Range, similar to the Blue Mountains region, rise up out of the valley as if they have been cut vertically with a knife. We drove to the largest falls with the longest drop, Fitzroy Falls in the Morton National Park where we usually see Lyrebirds performing, but they were not present today, as most are nesting, though the falls was on full display.  After a chat with Sally in the visitor centre, to discover they have sold out of my book, we made our way to the falls. I love watching the ribbons of water falling and finally melting deep in the valley on the rocks below.

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You can see what I mean by the sheerness of the drop.

We drove through the little country town of Robertson where hundreds of Long Weekend people were swarming to the popular tourist shops and cafes, making up for lost time. We saw this and thankfully drove off to a much higher, very recluse, part of the mountain known as Barren Grounds National Park, which some will remember we have visited on many occasions in the past, usually in pursuit of the extremely rare and endangered Eastern Ground Parrot, which most birders never ever see, as it is just as recluse.

As we walked long the track we noticed both a lack of flora and fauna, even for this time of year. Many birds had been incinerated in the horrific bushfires not too far away from here earlier this year. Our first encounter was with the New Holland Honeyeater, one of Australia’s most endurant honeyeater being found in large numbers throughout Australia with several subspecies. These guys were flying all over the place in one area catching insects on the fly. You may remember I mentioned in my book as a most diligent bird.

The following photo will show how difficult it can be to spot this bird when it rests.

We noticed in the mixed feeding flock (MFF) an inland  bird we had not seen for a long time, the White-naped Honeyeater. A tiny honeyeater with a white stripe across the back of its head and red eye surrounds. It was a challenge to photograph as it moved deep into the dark canopy of the eucalypt in search of lerps.

The welcome and predictable appearance of the Eastern Yellow Robin was a delight. This curious Robin flies right up to you on a tree so close my lens is unable to focus. It just sits looking at you and then flies to another tree. The assumption is that they follow you along the track hoping that you might disturb insects which they will pounce on, as they often fly to the ground to feed, which is an identifying behaviour when viewing them from a distance. If you would like to see the Robin feeding its nestlings, watch my short promo video on my birdbook page

The Eastern Spinebill was another honeyeater joining the MFF. They were also lerping as there were no nectar producing wild flowers out at present so lerps and insects become their food source till the August when we begin to see the Early Bush Spring.

The cream of our finds was from a lady passing us on the track who had sighted a pair of Gang Gang Cockatoo. These are mountain birds seldom seen by us near the coast, and like all Cockatoo at present looking for the seed cones and eucalypt gum nuts produced from last Summer to sustain them during this time of no fruit or blossom. At the head of this track there is a sign that informs us to look out for them as they are seen here.

The male has a bright red head and crest. Their unique body plumage looks almost owl-like, quite distinct from other Cockatoo. My wife prayed and asked God that we might see the Gang Gangs on the track we turned onto. Just after praying and stopping to have a sip of water she heard pieces of gum nuts falling from the tree she was standing under. Looking up she found the two, which appeared to be either both female or immature, as they lacked the red head and has orange underbelly stripes, which the male lacks. We both could have quite easily walked bye and not seen them as they were hidden high in the canopy of the eucalypt. This was an exciting find, though they were difficult to view high in the dark foliage of the eucalypt, quite unperturbed by our presence. You could only detect their presence by the sound of falling gum nut fragments. Most Cockies are detected in this manner when they silently feed. I had to play with the lighting somewhat to see their features.

Cockatoos and other members of the Parrot family are unique in that they are able to bring their food to their mouth with their foot, unlike most other birds which have to bring their beak or bill to their food. Notice in this clip how the Gang Gang holds the gum nut to its mouth as it chews it.

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We finally left the Cockies feeding and made our way back to the car where we returned to Bowral Cafe for a hot gourmet pie, but we were too late and had to find another cafe where we enjoyed a late gourmet pie lunch. We headed homeward thankful for an enjoyable day out together on a beautiful birding date.

A simple prayer request is instantly answered. We are always thankful for God’s kindness to us when he comes birding with us. He loves to delight his children by giving them what they ask for, not because we deserve it, for we don’t, but because he is faithful to his word and loves us to ask him for help in our lives.

Jesus says:”Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”  – Matthew 7:7-8

Jesus says:”If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” – Matthew 7:11

It is very reassuring to know help is just a heartfelt prayer away:

God the Father says: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” – Psalm 50:15

Enjoy your week as your freedoms return, and remember it is not over yet, so respect social distancing.

W. A. Hewson (Adv. Dip. Counselling & Family Therapy).

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.