While SBBs are getting coverage, I will add my observation of this morning.
I frequently see SBBs in my street – up to five at a time. Nearly always green birds but in recent weeks a couple of blue birds.
So, today. I saw a blue bird with a green bird high in a cedar. The green bird (I cannot discern the female from immature males, but behaviour suggests female) was carrying a white
feather and communing at close quarters with the blue bird. Then she (?) flew off with feather firmly held.
At that point I noticed another bird at the back of the tree which came to the top – another blue bird. The two stood together until one bird made a half-hearted move towards the other
who flew off. He flew straight into a bush into which I have seen SBBs disappear on several occasions. I cannot see any obvious evidence of a nest or bower or roost, but clearly the bush has a role in the local population’s behaviour. It may be a continuing
roost.
David Rosalky
Deakin
From: Geoffrey Dabb [
Sent: Saturday, 14 July 2018 12:00 PM
To: 'canberrabirds' <>
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Re: Morning birds
Anthony - I believe it is a male ‘presence’ call. In my garden, when loud it also means he’s present and ready for the morning handful of grapes. This has been going on for several years.
Moreover when you hear it when dog-walking past shrubby gardens it’s a useful indication of other bowers in the neighbourhood.
From: Anthony Overs <>
Sent: Saturday, 14 July 2018 10:59 AM
To: canberrabirds <>
Subject: [canberrabirds] Re: Morning birds
The last two mornings I have added both pardalotes, Satin Bowerbird, Noisy Miner, Red-rumped Parrot, Silvereye, blackbird, King Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Buff-rumped Thornbill, sparrow.
About a week ago, the Buff-rumped Thornbills were working over the back yard checking out various possible nesting materials like a bit of dog hair and a feather.
Recent mornings I've heard the resident bowerbirds making what I like to call the 'telephone ring' call. From my observations, it's a short, subtle call that is usually made very early in the morning during the warmer (displaying?) months
of the year. Anyone got the relevant hanzab volume handy??
On 12 Jul 2018, at 9:25 AM, Anthony Overs <> wrote:
So many birds calling over the first hour of a cold yet bright sunny morning at my home in Hawker:
The only one missing from this morning was the
recent regular Golden Whistler.
At about 8.00am a group of ten Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos landed in the neighbour's casuarinas and fed there for about 20 minutes.
A pretty good start to the day!
