One of fluctuating hundreds of Wandering Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna arcuata) on the main lagoon these days takes a turn near the Tyto lookout. Plenty of Plumed Whistlers too, but usually clustered on grassy banks of new lagoons near the info centre.
Young White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) about to make brief touchdown near the lookout. Interesting that one- to two-year? bird caused no alarm among the many birds on the water, very different from reaction mature eagles usually provoke. But perhaps there’s something about eagles’ in-flight behaviour that signals either malign or benign intent.
Nothing much malign about Spotted (Turtle-) Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), showing delicate colouring on rail in the morning sun. Not universally loved because regarded as pushy import (1860-1920), at least the mostly suburban species no longer is tagged an STD.
Click pix to enlarge
The sea-eagles at Hastie's Swamp don't always cause a panic response among the ducks, so maybe there's a hunting and non-hunting style? (Or --- more likely --- I haven't been paying attention.)
ReplyDeleteWhatever our states of attention, it's life or death for ducks, so probably eagles' intent is readable: if only we read Eaglish!
ReplyDelete