Categories
Possum

Possums…

Possums are regular visitors to our garden at night. A familiar scene for anyone in or near the Australian bush. They are funny, cuddly native Australian creatures. 

HOWEVER, some felt it would be useful to take a few to New Zealand back in the 1850s to use them for their fur. It has become invasive and a major agricultural and conservation pest. By the 1980s the peak population there had reached an estimated 60–70 million.

Joy and I are spending a week in New Zealand at present and will avoid mentioning “The Possum”

Categories
King Parrot

The King

Here is a bird which deserves its name, the King Parrot. A pretty regular visitor around the neighbourhood, but not often seen at the water bowl.

The Blaxland Birds list
More info elsewhere:
* Wikipedia entry

Categories
AprilBirds Wallaby

Rock Wallaby

The birdbath doesn’t just attract birds… We do occasionally get Wallabies in the neighbourhood and it was nice to capture one on the BirdCam! Linda @linlovesart, what about a month of Australian marsupials?

Categories
Currawong

Currawong

Our European settlers have much to answer for, calling a bird by a name which reminds them of “home”. Thankfully we have Currawongs even though some people still confuse them with Magpies, which in turn are not the same as the European Magpie. Phew… We love the Currawong name…

The Blaxland Birds list
Elsewhere about these birds:
* Wikipedia
* eBird

Categories
AprilBirds Grey Butcherbird

Grey Butcher

Grey Butcherbird

A regular guest, the Grey Butcherbird, often heard in the neighbourhood with its beautiful warbling song. They are often at the “bowl” and don’t fuss, but I prefer this phone camera shot from our lounge room…
[Yes, I previously posted this picture before I correctly identified it, it deserved a proper entry.]

The Blaxland Birds list
Learn more about this bird:
* Wikipedia

Categories
AprilBirds Brown Cuckoo-Dove

Boring Brown

Brown Cuckoo Dove

Not all Australian birds try to impress with bright colours. The Brown Cuckoo-Dove lives up to its name…

The Blaxland Birds list
Learn more about this bird:
* Wikipedia
* ebird

Categories
AprilBirds Brush Turkey

A Real Turkey…

Brush Turkey on patrol

We’ve gone from initial “Surprise!” to “Not that bloody Turkey again!” over the past few months. From terrorising the chicken over the road to stealing their food. Oh, to be a protected bird…

Our Blaxland Birds list
Elsewhere about this bird:
* Birds in backyard

Categories
AprilBirds Satin Bowerbird

Female v Male

Young male and female Satin Bowerbird
Mature (male) Satin Bowerbird

I’m not qualified to draw any conclusions regarding male and female Bowerbird behaviour…
(yes, the black bird is a male Satin Bowerbird and the speckled greenish brown birds are female)

The Blaxland Birds list
Elsewhere about this bird:
* Birdlife entry
* Wikipedia

Categories
AprilBirds Rainbow Lorikeets

Watchful Arrogance

For the last few years, a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets have been nesting in the tree behind the house. This year, I gave in and borrowed Craig’s camera…

The Blaxland Birds list
More info on Rainbow Lorikeets:
* Wikipedia entry
* on ebird

Categories
AprilBirds Superb Lyrebird

Calling All Birds

A rare bird to be seen at the “Bowl”, but one which is famous for being heard is the Superb Lyrebird. Ours used to be expert at mimicking a ringing desk phone ( when we still had them). Search for “lyrebird calls” on YouTube and you’ll get many examples of them mimicking other birds and power tools(!).

Our Blaxland Birds List
Elsewhere about the Lyrebird:
* Wikipedia
* Calls