Australian Birds

Their beautiful! I love the last one.

Pretty birds!

Wow, these birds are beautiful. Great photos Margaret!

Aren't they wonderful! I can see them digging in the grass together all covered in dirt, how funny. They must find grubs or insects. They all sound like such fun to live with. As usual, your photos are excellent, Thank you Margaret. I still can't get over the intense color and size. The last photo shows why they're called Cocky...or is that where the term Cocky came from?!

This message was edited Nov 27, 2009 3:03 PM

So nice, Margaret. Wish I could be there, to see all those wonderful birds and animals, in your country. Would be quite a treat.

It would be so good if you could come out to visit, Burn. Bring everyone else as well.

KJ, the colouring of the Pink & Greys is much more intense in the country. The pink is the most intense, dark pink. I've just put some sunflower seed out for a couple who've dropped by. The female was at the glass door of the TV room tapping with her beak and calling - there's no ignoring them. If they're ignored for too long they get bored and start eating the house.

Oh my Margaret...they sound a bit like the New Zealand Kakapo that goes after tourist cars!! lol Well, they are intelligent birds and strong, persistent and cheeky. Too funny.

Oh gosh, love the pink and greys - although I don't have one, I get to work with/handle the ones at the Zoo where I do the volunteer work.............I think they are just sweet and compared to the other 'toos, their feet are so small....well, the Goffin has small feet, too.

I keep thinking of the Brush Turkey - such a striking bird !! I wish our zoo had one in our Australian area......will have to talk to the Director about this.

jan

Hi Guy's, Jan a Brush Turkey just for you.

hel - thank you !! I just love the looks of this bird.....can they live in cold climates....down to 0 F ? Seriously, I'd like to se them at our Zoo....even in my backyard

jan

Nice one hel. They are a handsome bird.

Just back from a wonderful experience in the Otway State Forest here in Victoria...we were driving thru a clearing in the forest and stopped to have a look at the view, when out of nowhere flew two magnificent Wedgetail eagles.....I have seen solitary birds before but never a pair.
They were chasing a smaller bird that I couldn't identify and their twists and turns with those wingspans were amazing..What truly majestic birds they are. So sorry that I couldn't include a photo....maybe Margaret might be so kind as to put one on the thread if she has one...
My husband and I both felt very privileged to have witnessed a moment which probably we will never see again.

No wonder you find it hard to leave your Ospreys, Margaret.

hel, thanks for the Turkey..love 'em
Dianne

Dianne, lucky you. They are really beautiful birds although much maligned by farmers. Unfortunately, I don't have any Wedgetail photos.

I am quite sure if you have a beautiful garden you wouldn't want these fellas, they will dig it up.

hel - this is true however, I'm going to talk to the Zoo in Evansville IN, USA where I do volunteer work and have been involved in many areas since 1965.....there is an Australian exhibit area, but there aren't any of these guys. My husband even plays the didgeridoo there on Sundays

I so want to come to y'alls beautiful Country and see all of the lovely birds...along with my new friends from DG! Or, we could all meet in Hawaii and enjoy their scenery! :o)

Kim

Hi Kim, such a splendid idea! I'm getting packed, holler when you're ready. :-)

I am ready! LOL

...Okay, Hawaii is the destination right? Since in such a short noticed I haven't gotten a passport to Australia. lol.

the colder it gets, the better Australia or Hawaii sounds !!

I agreed Jr. How cold is there in In. ?

well, this morning it was 22 F - will get all the way to 35.....wooppee!! We have such a wonderful long, pleasant Fall that we are spoiled....this is norm for Dec in Southern IN. Actually, I hope we have some really cold weather this winter so that the bugs and thei larvae and eggs are wiped out......we've not had that for a few years and the buggs are winning the battle....especially the dig fleas...UGH

on another note, have you guys noticed how many views this thread has....folks may not have a lot to say, but they sure do like looking....maybe they are taken by that brush turkey like I am.....LOL

This message was edited Dec 4, 2009 2:09 PM

Hi Guy's, Hawaii, here we come (I wish). Maybe there is someone there that could post some pic's, at least we could pretend. We had a 35 celsius here yesterday, looks like a hot Christmas. May be someone could send me some snow to cool me off.
This is Larry the Rainbow Lorikeet, tapping on my window, waiting for a feed.

love those lorikeets -they are so colorful, as are so many of your native birds.....I love the fringed tongue these guys have.

15 F here this a.m. bbbrrrrr

hel, Larry is a handsome lad! Hot during Christmas, that is where I'd like to be. Though, missing out on the snow....but I think I can adapt. lol.

Mid 20's F. here not much warmer here, Jr.

this weather has been a mess - I'm so glad all the snow missed us - as I get older, the less I enjoy the cold, snow, and short days. I have to wonder what the next 4 months will be like.

What's typical winter there? Jr. Here, although relatively mild, but cold enough for tropical birds. (pun intended).

Oh my! What a beauty! Was Larry human raised or did he start tapping on the window because he is so smart? I have not ever been to Hawaii, but I cannot think of a better reason to visit. I would so love to meet some of our Australian friends!

jrw, come down to the southern US. We are mighty friendly and always have a glass of something for you to drink and a snack for you to eat ;o) We may get one snow a year and then the next day it may be 70 degrees. lol

Larry lives in the wild they can become very friendly but bossy toward other birds.
My cheeky Scaley Breasted Lorikeet

He is sweet hel!

Y'all truly have the most beautiful birds! Of course, I am pretty partial to the pink-eared ducks...after all, I am a duck mother ;o))

Of few of our birds get rather bossy, too, but I don't remember any of them knocking on the window for food. However, our ducks used to come to and quack at the door when it was time to come in for the night. lol

lily_love - our winter varies so much - we usually go down to 0 F a few times, thankfully just a day or two at a time. I do remember several years ago when the high temp of the day did not get above 0 for 10 or 11 days. Anything that survived that winter was really tough !!

duckmother - don't tempt me.....btw, what is a pink eared duck????

pic of my side yard after the ice storm last year - the upside of this was that all the bird feeders and water dishes were really busy....

This message was edited Dec 12, 2009 1:50 PM

jrwbirds, here are a few images of Pink-eared Ducks, photographed at a local wetland in Perth,Western Australia. Duckmother has been trying to get me to send her a crate of them for some time.

Male and female. Very difficult to tell them apart.

Close up showing the pink behind the eye which gives them their name.

You mean I am not getting any PE Ducks for Christmas? Rats! I will keep begging ;o)) Maybe, next year.

Lovely picture jrw. I bet you get many different types of birds to your feeders in the winter.

OOO, post the pictures of the babies! they are so cute.

This is a really old shot, taken about 25 years ago, but it's probably the best I've ever taken of the babies.

OK, I'm off for a swim. LORRRL.