Oh well. A Sacred Kingfisher is the garden is still quite a nice event.
Nothing to be disappointed about. Azure Kingfishers are much more rare
in Canberra area. Another point to note is that all the Sacred
Kingfishers I have seen in my garden area have been silent. This being
quite different to how noisy they are when they are in their breeding
area in the woodland reserves and along river edges. It may also be a
matter of timing (post breeding). Not odd for them to hang around.
Whilst I had one this week, I also had one seen over several days 7 & 8
weeks ago (can't say it was the same one though).
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul T.
Sent: Wednesday, 17 February 2010 11:06 PM
To:
Subject: Re: Sacred kingfisher
At 10:47 PM 17/02/2010, you wrote:
>About the bird. On that hard to say on just that. I would say though
>that a "bird that sat on their washing line for ages yesterday." sounds
>so very much more likely for a Sacred Kingfisher though. They are
>coming through Canberra at this time (I had one at my place on the
>power line to my house, on last Sunday, and I have them at least once
>on maybe half the number of years). Azure Kingfishers are typically
>much more secretive than that and it would seem odd to like to sit
>somewhere so exposed, especially in such odd habitat.
Philip,
Yeah, you're right. I was overly excited when I checked, and when I
looked in a different reference book, the pic for the sacred was
almost spot on for my bird (the dark band around the back of the head
was a dead giveaway). I should have looked further before jumping to
conclusions. I've still never had a sacred kingfisher here though,
so I'm still not exactly unhappy. <grin> Sorry for the incorrect
ID. I've only ever seen any of the smaller kingfishers once before,
and from a far greater distance. Definitely not sen in my garden
before this, but hopefully he may hand around and give me some more
views.
Thanks for the response.
Cheers.
Paul T.
Canberra, Australia - USDA Zone Equivalent approx. 8/9
Growing an eclectic collection of plants from all over the world
including Aroids, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythroniums, Fritillarias,
Galanthus, Irises, Trilliums (to name but a few) and just about
anything else that doesn't move!!
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