Wednesday 31 January 2018

Wild Bird Wednesday 288 - Tasmanian Native-hen

There are 12 endemic species found in (and only in) Tasmania.  One of these is the Tasmanian Native-hen (Tribonyx mortierii).  This bird is a large, flightless rail, and it used to be classified into the genus Gallinula, along with birds such as the Moorhen.  However, the tides of taxonomy have moved into a much smaller genus - which contains only one other living species.

It tells you a good deal about these birds that one of their common names is the "Turbo-Chook".  They are fast moving, noisy and often seem to be of ill temper with member of their own species, and the world in general.

I actually found them hard to photograph, and saw daily saw them on verges by the side of the road as I was going past, heading somewhere else.  On our last day in Tasmania I found some in that same habitat, and having a bit of time to waste while I waited for the ferry home I photographed them.

I rather like the urban background to these images.






As ever, to join in with WBW just click on the blue button below the thumbnails - feel free to share a link to this page on the many and varied forms of social media that we now use every day!

27 comments:

  1. They sound like our chickens..Wonderful pictures of them..It looks like they are confined by a chain linked fence...Happy Wednesday..Tuesday here

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  2. Hello, great shots of the Native-hen! It does look like the Moorhen! Enjoy your day and week ahead!

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  3. It has big feet! A noble looking bird!

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  4. Very unique looking birds! This one kinda looks like an ill-tempered prison guard.

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  5. a proud looking bird very different from those I did see in Queensland :)

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  6. Hari OM
    The very epitome of Angry Birds??? &*> cute all the same. YAM xx

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  7. Hello Stewart!:) You native hen does have an angry look about him, but I like his upturned tail feathers, and his face although dark, reminds me of Corncrake.

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  8. Correction, not YOUR Native hen, the Tasmanian Native hen!!!:)

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  9. Interesting post, I did not know that these birds existed! Yes the background is quite effective :-) Cheers Diane

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  10. We could just as well call our invasive Swamphens "Turbo-Gallinules," as it is common to say they look like Purple Gallinules on steroids! No blue butt from Linky today, but will try to get back later to post a photo.

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  11. Handsome looking boys. Could hold their own in a bar fight I thinks.

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  12. Nice hen. Definitely has a devilish look. Glad to have a bird in order to hook up with WBW. It's been awhile.

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  13. Oh my, what big feet you have my dear ... and is the beak really green or are my eyes going bad. What fun, you must have had on this trip. This a good start for sharing your pictures. An ill-tempered bird, hmmmm ... not sure I have run across such a thing. Sorry you are back behind the desk ... your future holds more such trips, I hope :)

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  14. This is a new bird for me. Interesting. Looks a little grumpy, yet a fine looking specimen.

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  15. Hi Stewart, what a beautiful bird. Thanks for sharing. And thanks for hosting this meme. I've linked up my contribution.Greetings Jo

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  16. Great photos!
    Thanks for hosting this fun meme

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  17. Stewart, interesting bird. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. You're right about the bird being grumpy - he looks none too pleased about you taking his picture! :)

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  19. My goodnesss, they look mad. I guess the red eyes don't help much either! Thanks for hosting!

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  20. They are actually lovely birds. I think it's amusing that they seem to be in a bad mood with everyone around them. Perhaps there's something about beautiful Tasmania that gives rise to Tasmanian Devils and Tasmanian Tigers and these Angry Birds! :-)

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  21. What an interesting looking bird.

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  22. I love the name Turbo-Chook!

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  23. Wonderful that you could finally get some photos. I loved learning the fun facts about the birds too.

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  24. Funny to read about their cranky personality.... what an unusual bird in so many ways!

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  25. Definitely a grouchy face, to match the grouchy demeanor.

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