In the Hunter I observed a Little Wattlebird that had hatched in a hanging
pot plant in someones courtyard. On observation prior to fledging the bird
was getting around in this strange contorted twisted position as its
parents came down occasionally to feed it. This bird was out of the nest
and out and about on its feet. Lorna Mee
On Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 10:54 AM, jenny spry <>wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Last Sunday Joy and I went to Phillip Island to check the place out and try
> and add a few birds to the year list. It was a very successful day and
> included a Southern Giant Petrel feeding straight out from the boardwalk at
> the cafe complex at the end of the road.
>
> We also had an interesting encounter with a Little Wattlebird. The Banksia
> are in flower and lots of Little Wattlebirds were feeding on the nectar. As
> we watched one bird feeding high up on the outer edge of the tree a raptor
> called from above. The response from the Wattlebird was instant and very
> interesting. It “froze” in a twisted pose with all its feathers fluffed
> out. I wonder if it was a cryptic pose with the bird trying to mimic a dry
> Banksia flower? The colour of the bird, grey-brown with white flecking, and
> the shape it assumed made it look, with a bit of imagination, somewhat like
> one, and maybe just enough like one to fool a distant raptor? I have put a
> photo on my blog.
>
> I considered the possibility that the bird had just decided to warm itself
> in the sun but it didn't move slowly into the pose and shuffle its feathers
> as a bird starting to "sun" usually does. At the sound of the raptor cry
> the bird "snapped" to the position and froze. After about 3 minutes in the
> pose, and with no further raptor calls heard during this time, the bird
> flew down and into an adjoining Banksia.
>
> Has anyone else seen this behaviour?
>
> cheers
>
> Jenny
> http://jenniferspryausbirding.blogspot.com.au/
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