After settling into our accommodation in Alice Springs we went for lunch at the Botanic Gardens - and as soon as we got out of the car a rather strange looking bird landed on a picnic table next to us. I recognised it as a bowerbird of some sort, and rather quickly lost interest in lunch! The bird flew away, and I come not follow it. So, back to lunch.
As we were eating a rather fine BLT the bird came back to feed on its preferred food - the abandoned nacho. This was not a wilderness experience.
The bird in question is a Western Bowerbird (Chlamydera guttata). The bird is found in two (probably) distinct populations - one in central Australia, and one in Western Australia. All of the birds in these pictures are from the central Australian population. I had a look around the area where I saw the birds, but I could not find any of there display bowers.
The pink path on the back of the neck of the bird as an 'erectile crest', that can be made to stand up - but I never saw that happen.
The next time I saw any of these birds was in (you've guessed it) the car park at Ormiston Gorge - a wonderful cool and shady place. This time the birds did seen to be looking for more natural food, but did not fail to notice the crumbs that fell from our sandwiches.
I dont know if the slight cocking of the head to one side is a typical pose - maybe they were just keeping an eye on me.
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Wow! That is amazing. Very sharp shots of these handsome birds!
ReplyDeletevery cool bird. like his speckled pattern - sort of like a starling on steroids. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome bird and pretty daring as well. I have had that experience with a Starling at a table in the Chicago Botanical Gardens. He walked right up and took a bite out of my friends sandwich. Maybe they are related somehow ... they look similar and certainly behave with similar bad manners :) Anyway, I loved your Spotted Bowerbird and look forward to the day when you capture that crest in action ... Thanks, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
A fine looking bird and brilliant pictures you took Stewart. Aren't birds clever in adapting to their environment and in this case learning to rely upon man's leftovers or handouts? Thanks for hosting once again.
ReplyDeleteThese remind me a lot of Cactus Wrens here. Different but somewhat similar. They, along with Curve-billed Thrashers, also give a person that look:) Very cool birds!
ReplyDeleteIt's got very thick sturdy legs. From Findlay
ReplyDeleteSounds like this bird has adapted well to human's messy habits. :)
ReplyDeleteDat is wel heel mooi van een bord eten is natuurlijk veel lekkerder.
ReplyDeleteHello, what a cute and hungry Little guy !!
ReplyDeleteGreat capture !!
Greetings
Handsome fellow!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great series. I have seen this bird for the first time in these pics.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fantastic bird with nice colours! I've never heard of it before.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Pia
They would be so well camouflaged...anywhere!! Awesome.
ReplyDeleteThey would be so well camouflaged...anywhere!! Awesome.
ReplyDeleteWonderful images of a stunning little bird Stewart..
ReplyDeleteAlthough they're very different, they remind me of our Starlings.
ReplyDeleteLovely images, Stewart, and some which bring a smile to my face.
It's feathers have the look of scales to them. I take it the bower is it's nest? I'll have to look that up.
ReplyDeleteHallo Stewart!!!Very beautiful birds!!I can see the pink spot on his head!!!Exellent shots and captures!!!Have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteDimi...
Great photos of very interesting birds. Some birds seem to become used to humans very quickly.
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart... I love his feathered pattern, and I got a good laugh from Teresa comment about it being like a starling on steroids hahah!!
ReplyDeleteI could see the pink patch on the back of the head in that last one!!
It is amazing to me that it has a pink patch..not a common color mix for birds !!
Grace
Thanks for being the host for WBW!!
This is a new one for me. Fantastic looking bird! They seem to have rather large feet. Love the plumage!
ReplyDeleteExcellent shots! Great colouration on this handsome bird!
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart, I agree with Tex. It looks like our Starling. Very pretty pattern and great shots! Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteI swear your recent bird posts could tempt me to abandon everything and move to Australia. Your parking lots have more exotic and beautiful birds than I see walking in nature areas.
ReplyDeleteEven without moving though, I will be back to WBW one of these weeks.
Nice captures. Thank you for hosting.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful photos of these dotty birds. Car park birds can be such fun. At coffin Bay we sat down at a picnic table nest to the car park in a wideness area and, quick as a flash, a superb blue wren in full mating plumage was helping himself to the crumbs of our snack.
ReplyDeleteHe kind of has some appearances of our Road Runner. He does have some impressive talons for a bird his size.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting bird, that is a great fact about the pink erectile feather on its' head
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart What a wonderful opportunity you had to photograph this beautiful bird. All great shots. it certainly would be fantastic to see the 'pink' crest erect however that probably only happens when he is displaying for the female at the bower. Margaret
ReplyDeleteoh great pick up Stewart; that trip of yours sounds super and how lovely to see these Bowerbirds; great shots!
ReplyDeleteWow, Lovely little bird!
ReplyDeletegreat captured. super!
ReplyDeleteregards Babs
Hi Stewart - the Olive Pink Botanical pair are well-known locally .... I have visited them myself several times over the last 6-7 years!! Typically the bower has been not far from the road where it expands to become car park - not much use to you now I suspect!
ReplyDeleteI feel a "retro"post coming on! - may try to dig up that bit bit of video of them at the bower!
Peter
Beautiful series of photos of this beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteThis bird looks almost the same as our starling.
A very smart and interesting bird Stewart, and also an interesting narrative.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Gordon.
A very smart and interesting bird Stewart, and also an interesting narrative.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Gordon.
What a beautiful bird!! And a GREAT find!
ReplyDeleteSo what's wrong with teasing?
ReplyDeleteHow's the ankle holding up??
I am always in awe at the beautiful art and detail of a bird's feathers.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures of this handsome bird!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting bird complete with great commentary. I see the pink on the back of the neck. I will have to read more about this strange bird. thanks. MB
ReplyDeleteExcellent shots of this beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice evening:)
What a beautiful bird! I love your photographs of it and your words as well!
ReplyDeleteSuperb photographs, Stewart! Car parks and picnic tables can be great birding venues!
ReplyDeleteWhat great coloration they have.
Thank you so much for hosting this site - terrific way to see the birds of the world!
Have a great week!
Now that's a pretty bird!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos ! And a beautiful bird !
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ReplyDeleteLovely captures! You capture the birds so very neatly! Thanks for sharing, have a nice day Stewart :)
ReplyDeleteA very handsome bird!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of a great looking bird Stewart! I'm never seen the actual bird before, but not too long ago there was a rock band here named, "The Bowerbirds." I have no idea if the name has anything at all to do with the bird though.
ReplyDelete