Preening Crimson Rosella

As I stood on the front veranda, this Crimson Rosella or Platycercus elegans moved close to me and began preening. and stretching its wings.

Crimson Rosella or Platycercus elegans stretching its wings

Crimson Rosella or Platycercus elegans stretching its wings

Crimson Rosella or Platycercus elegans stretching its wings

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)

Male Australian King Parrots are the only Australian parrots to have a completely red head.

A male Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

The Unfaithful Male Superb Fairy-wren

Fun Facts: A fun fact about Australia’s favourite bird.

The male Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) has been described as the least faithful bird in the world. Females may be courted by up to thirteen males in half an hour.

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Common Bronzewing

These photos are of a male Common Bronzewing or Phaps chalcoptera, just one of a flock of nine or so resident in my backyard.

The male is identified by the rich cream coloured forehead. The female has a grey forehead, and the white line under the eye is wider. Her breast is grey-buff.

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

The Elusive Honeyeater

There is a New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) which frequents my backyard. I have tried many times to photograph it without success. This weekend I have managed to get a couple of quick snaps that I am happy to post. (I have plenty of bad or blurred shots.)

These birds are active eaters and will dart from flower to flower in search of nectar, a high energy food. They also will eat fruit, insects and spiders.

The New Holland Honeyeater will breed any time of the year but mainly in summer and winter. An adult pair may raise two or three broods in a year. Clutch size is 2 to 3 eggs which will take about 18 days to incubate. The fledgling birds will spend 16 days in the nest. 

All photos posted here, were taken by me and are copyright.

Crimson Rosellas

Crimson Rosellas are found in south-east Queensland, coastal New South Wales and much of Victoria. They belong to the subspecies elegans (Platycercus elegans elegans). I have good numbers of them visiting my backyard, especially when I put seed out. It’s mid-winter here where I live and the cold conditions we are experiencing seems to have sharpened their appetites.

The photos above are immature Crimson Rosellas. They were perched near one of the feeding stations, all fluffed up to ward off the winter cold.

This photo is of an adult bird. It takes about fifteen months for the immature birds to get to this stage.

All photos posted here, were taken by me and are copyrighted.

The Female of the Species

In dimorphic birds, most people will recognise the male, which is often brightly coloured. Too often the female will be referred to as “that little brown bird”. I hope these photographs show the beauty of these female birds.

This is a female Rufous Whistler, Pachycephala rufiventris in south-west Victoria, Australia

A female Satin Bowerbird, Ptilonorhynchus violaceus, south-west, Victoria, Australia. In winter, Satin Bowerbirds eat their “greens”.

The female Spotted Pardalote, Pardalotus punctatus, south-west Victoria, Australia. While the male of this species has white spots, the female is easily identified by her yellow spots.

Mother and daughter – these are Superb Fairy-wrens, Malurus cyaneus, south-west, Victoria, Australia. The juvenile bird is in the front.

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Laughing Kookaburras

It’s been a while since my last post, and what better way to come back than with a picture of a pair of Australian icons.

A pair of Laughing Kookaburras or Dacelo novaeguineae, Victoria, Australia

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

The Common Bronzewing

The Common Bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera) is a heavily built medium sized pigeon which is extremely shy. It rarely allows anyone to approach closely. Its true beauty is revealed when the light hits its wings at the correct angle.

A male Common Bronzewing shows its true colours in the sunlight.

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Acknowledgement: I respect and acknowledge the Gulidjan people as the First Peoples and Traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which I live.

I acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging.

Immature Rosellas

Crimson Rosellas are found in south-east Queensland, coastal New South Wales and much of Victoria. They belong to the subspecies elegans (Platycercus elegans elegans).

A mature adult Crimson Rosella or Platycercus elegans in South West, Victoria, Australia

Crimson Rosellas gather in small flocks and feed together. During the breeding season (September to January), they will feed in pairs, when they have selected a mate. A nest will be selected in a hollow high in a tree, and it will be lined with wood shavings and dust. The female incubates the eggs; a clutch can consist of 3 to 5 eggs, but normally is 4 eggs. Both sexes care for the chics. The young will stay dependent on the adults for up to 35 days after leaving the nest.

Immature Crimson Rosellas, Platycercus elegans in South West, Victoria, Australia

An immature Crimson Rosella, also called Green Parrots in South West, Victoria, Australia

Footnote:

Please Note:
I am the copyright holder of all photographs that appear on this blog. Please respect my copyright.

© Fred O’Donnell Photography

Acknowledgement: I respect and acknowledge the Gulidjan people as the First Peoples and Traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which I live.

I acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging.