Monday, August 23, 2010

Birds on wire, and slyer higher flier

Species catching the eye lately along my favourite country road include Tree Martin (Petrochelidon nigricans): this bird one of about 100 flocking between unsealed road surface and barbed wire the other morning. 


No flocks for Tawny Grassbird (Megalurus timoriensis). Not usually seen on barbed wire: too busy in grass and low bushes sharing scolding calls with partner. Species always sounds disgruntled. 


And Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis) - sharing exactly the same habitat and conditions - usually sounds absolutely content. Interpreting bird sounds via human emotional responses is for the birds.


Finally, one for the birds in a strictly predatory sense, Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis). Smallest I've seen and presumably a male, bird seemed barely close to the 30cm of usual 30-35cm size range. But more than enough to scare most other birds in the area.
Click pix to enlarge 

5 comments:

mick said...

You always seem to come up with some very nice birds along that country road. I saw a Hobby out west but was just too slow with the camera :-(

Snail said...

Oh, yes. That grassbird does look quite peeved!

Excellent shots as always.

Mark Young said...

I like the theme, and some very nice images too.

Gouldiae said...

G'day Tony,
Oh to get a Hobby and a Cisticola to pose so!
Lovely stuff.
Gouldiae.

Tyto Tony said...

Hi Mick: Luckyily, it is quite a long road.

Think they're only happy when sounding peeved, Bronwen.

Thanks Mark.

Hi Gouldiae: Hobby was surprisingly willing to sit, though only on a high point.

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