Betrisher
Well-known member
- Jun 3, 2013
- 4,253
- 177
- Parrots
- Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
Today, we had a pub-lunch in honour of my daughter's (yesterday) and my (tomorrow) birthdays. On our way home, we decided to spend some time bird-watching at a little man-made swamp just off the main road.
There were zillions of Sacred Ibis, quite a few Swamphens and Grey Teal (ducks) as well as the usual Swallows and Martens swooping for midges over the water. The best thing, though, was a small flock of about a hundred Little Corellas which had come to bask in the warm afternoon sun on the grass verge near the swamp.
Honestly, Corellas have to be the clowns of the bird world! These were jumping about, rolling one another over and hanging by the skin of one toenail from the twigs of nearby trees. They would swing back and forth, bouncing until their grip failed, then fly to another twig and repeat the process. More than once, I saw a twig-faller landing on top of a twig-escaper and earning an impatient nip for his troubles. Eventually, all the birds flew up to perch on a man-made fence, pairing off and spending a good fifteen minutes doing concentrated preening. I could almost hear their relief at having irritating pin-feathers crushed by a helpful partner!
Eventually, about six galahs arrived and two or three corellas were quick to hunt them away from the grass verge. I've never seen that before! Usually, Galahs, Corellas and SC2s will forage together quite happily. Only, not today.
When the Corellas fly, you can clearly see a sulphur-yellow tinge under their wing and tail feathers. What's not often noticed is the blush pink among the crest feathers on the backs of their heads. You only see it when the wind ruffles the feathers and pink flashes among the brilliant white. For a 'white' bird, they're extremely pretty! (Or, at least, I think so).
At one point, a bird leaped into the air and let out a bellow. The entire flock joined him and they were off, whirling up as one in a great white flurry of feathers and shrieking. I don't know what upset the cockatoo (we Australians use the word 'cockatoo' to mean 'lookout' and this incident is why), but something did. He was right on the ball, warning his flock and chivvying them up to safety in the air. Within minutes, they were back again, though, and rambling through the sapling trees nearby to pick off bark and enjoy whatever came from beneath it for their arvo tea ('afternoon tea' - small meal between lunch and dinner). I was interested to note they were digging up clover plants and seemed to be interested in eating the roots. I wonder why? Something to do with Nitrogen? Dunno...
Sadly, more than one of the birds appeared emaciated and almost dirty grey in comparison to the bright white of the majority. I assume it was because of PBFD, which is rife in the wild flocks and becoming something of a problem here on the east coast. At last, the flock rose up, wheeled once overhead and disappeared over the treeline. I hope they called out a cheery 'good arvo' to Rosetta as they passed over our house!
There were zillions of Sacred Ibis, quite a few Swamphens and Grey Teal (ducks) as well as the usual Swallows and Martens swooping for midges over the water. The best thing, though, was a small flock of about a hundred Little Corellas which had come to bask in the warm afternoon sun on the grass verge near the swamp.
Honestly, Corellas have to be the clowns of the bird world! These were jumping about, rolling one another over and hanging by the skin of one toenail from the twigs of nearby trees. They would swing back and forth, bouncing until their grip failed, then fly to another twig and repeat the process. More than once, I saw a twig-faller landing on top of a twig-escaper and earning an impatient nip for his troubles. Eventually, all the birds flew up to perch on a man-made fence, pairing off and spending a good fifteen minutes doing concentrated preening. I could almost hear their relief at having irritating pin-feathers crushed by a helpful partner!
Eventually, about six galahs arrived and two or three corellas were quick to hunt them away from the grass verge. I've never seen that before! Usually, Galahs, Corellas and SC2s will forage together quite happily. Only, not today.
When the Corellas fly, you can clearly see a sulphur-yellow tinge under their wing and tail feathers. What's not often noticed is the blush pink among the crest feathers on the backs of their heads. You only see it when the wind ruffles the feathers and pink flashes among the brilliant white. For a 'white' bird, they're extremely pretty! (Or, at least, I think so).
At one point, a bird leaped into the air and let out a bellow. The entire flock joined him and they were off, whirling up as one in a great white flurry of feathers and shrieking. I don't know what upset the cockatoo (we Australians use the word 'cockatoo' to mean 'lookout' and this incident is why), but something did. He was right on the ball, warning his flock and chivvying them up to safety in the air. Within minutes, they were back again, though, and rambling through the sapling trees nearby to pick off bark and enjoy whatever came from beneath it for their arvo tea ('afternoon tea' - small meal between lunch and dinner). I was interested to note they were digging up clover plants and seemed to be interested in eating the roots. I wonder why? Something to do with Nitrogen? Dunno...
Sadly, more than one of the birds appeared emaciated and almost dirty grey in comparison to the bright white of the majority. I assume it was because of PBFD, which is rife in the wild flocks and becoming something of a problem here on the east coast. At last, the flock rose up, wheeled once overhead and disappeared over the treeline. I hope they called out a cheery 'good arvo' to Rosetta as they passed over our house!