Exotics at home in the wetlands

Many Metallic Starlings (Aplornis metallica) flashing low through Tyto's lowering skies these days but had to journey slightly east on Ingham to get closeup of bird (above) on edge of social nesting area in large rain tree.

Meanwhile, back in the wetlands, Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) balance briefly on fence dividing Tyto from suburbia. Unfit to be pictured in such company, Mr Ugly, male Muscovy, in sole possession of front pools, will keep for another day.  
Click pix to enlarge

Brahminy heads shaky showing

Trip to Townsville yesterday meant chance an hour or two through the Town Common, a magnet for birders. Notable sightings of several raptors chasing various prey. Notable lack of luck capturing anything. Above Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) best of a shaky showing.

It was sharing perch and launch tree about 50 metres from the Freshwater Lagoon's formidable concrete bunker of a hide with an immature Brahminy, which I mistook at first for a Little Eagle. Junior took up positions almost impossible to photograph. And every dive it made for insects took it behind cover.

Even this Australian Brush-turkey (Alectura lathami) near the hide refused to get into the clear. To be unkind, could be because such looks really shouldn't be paraded in the open.

Back at Tyto, male Shining Flycatcher about to feed demanding throats. Picture from earlier in week but same story today.