Wild Bird Wednesday 505 - Chestnut-backed Quail-thrush

The first new bird for WBW in a while!

The Chestnut-backed Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma castanotum) is neither quail nor thrush, but it does have a chestnut back!  So that all makes sense.  Apparently is common name - Quail-thrush - was invented in 1926, and the author of the book I rely upon for such information hints that the invention of this name may have been aided by the contents of a port decanter!

This is a ground dwelling bird that inhabits dry woodlands, often at the edges of such habitats. It will come as no surprise to regular readers that I found these birds on the edge of a small camp site / car park! The camp site was in the Hattah Kulkyne National Park in the north-west of Victoria.

It was a rather hot day when I took these pictures, and I assuming that the open beak behaviour is a kind of panting to help regulate temperature.  I took to doing the same kind of thing!

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Wild Bird Wednesday 504 - Black Swans

I few weeks ago I went to ...... Werribee Sewage Plant for a days birding.  However, I left the gate key at home as was rather restricted in where I could go! 

While leaning on a (locked) gate I noticed this family of Black Swans (Cygnus atratus) swimming in one of the ditches.  I rather liked the shape of the image, with the birds cutting their way through the floating plants.  It also reminded me of a lot of the drainage ditches that are found in Somerset, where I was born.

The Black Swans scientific name means 'swans in mourning' - a reference to their colour rather their state of mind I think!

They are a very distinctive bird which I never really tire of seeing.

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Wild Bird Wednesday 503 - Powerful Owl.

I was talking to a fellow birder last weekend, and he mentioned Powerful Owls.  I took that as an inspiration for this week's WBW.

The Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) is Australia's largest owl, with males being as heavy as 1700g.  They are the apex predator over much of the SE corner of Australia - which is the only location in which they are found.  The eat tree dwelling marsupials such as possums and gliders and are generally a magnificent bird!

These pictures are drawn from four different times I have seen and photographed them. 

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Wild Bird Wednesday 502 - Australian Pelican

The Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus) is a bird that is hard to miss when it's about.  Loafing on the shore, flying in the sky or perching on polls, they dominate any place they choose to be.

Here are some of my favourite picture of Pelicans. 

Hope everyone is well and that the birds are treating your well. 

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Wild Bird Wednesday 501 - An Iconic Start.

Well, its WBW 501.  And it was pointed out to me last week (thank you!) that the 500th WBW missed that most iconic of Australian birds, the Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae).

I have to admit that was a bit of an oversight, so as 501 is as good a number as 500, this week I make up for this error.

So here is a collection of some of my favourite Laughing Kookaburra pictures.  I hope that you enjoy them.

It appears that they enjoy sitting on fence posts!

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