Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Warbler poses as Little Bittern



Having lost all the Little Bitterns - departed during the floods and yet to return - Tyto is pressing Australian Reed Warblers (Acrocephalus australis) into service. Results so far are very encouraging, as can be seen in above picture.


Some might argue the deception will fool no one. Recent 'sightings' suggest otherwise. These include 'Grass Owls' (perhaps Pheasant Coucals or Goshawks) flying at noon, 'Yellow Thornbills' (probably Fairy Gerygone - Gerygone palpebrosa, above) high up here and there, and Lewin's Rails (almost certainly Buff-banded Rails) also out in the noon light.


Can't find an owl, but here's a Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianinus) doing a very poor impression of Eastern Grass-Owl (Tyto longimembris). More training - and extensive makeup -obviously needed!


8 comments:

  1. Either I need to come and see these new sub species or you need to buy a new bird book :D

    Nice light hearted blog entry :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've got bird books. It's some of the super optimistic tourists who need looks at books. Meanwhile, I'm giving them the bird ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. That coucal could almost pass for a frogmouth, in the dark with the light behind it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice post, Tony.
    Do you need a holiday, do you think?
    Lovely pose of the "Bittern-Warbler".
    Cheers
    Denis

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Snail: Shades of Bergman and the Bible: birding through a glass darkly!

    Gidday Denis: Every Tyto day's a holiday. Perhaps I need a job?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Job?
    Wash your mouth, my lad!
    Cheers
    Denis

    ReplyDelete
  7. ha ha Tony, i love the impressions. very funny.
    cheers,
    steve

    Steve's Blog

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks steve: 'Happy' to share some fun.

    ReplyDelete

Cormorant shuffles off mortal coil in python's coils

Water Python coiled around Little Black Cormorant beside pool in Townsville Town Common (03/11/24). Snake probably took bird in the water an...