Re: Fw: [canberrabirds] Re: Large group of roosting Brown Thornbills

[Anthony Overs <>]

Liam and others

This is a very interesting observation!

I might have expected group roosting in the thornbill species that are cooperative breeders, but not in a pair breeder like the Brown.

Anthony

On Thu, 9 Aug 2018 at 08:58, Jack & Andrea Holland <> wrote:

 

 

From: Jack & Andrea Holland

Sent: Thursday, August 9, 2018 8:17 AM

To: Tony and Tash Manderson

Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Re: Large group of roosting Brown Thornbills

 

Yes, a very remarkable observation indeed Liam,

 

I note HANZAB says records of flocks are rare, but that small flocks, exceptionally up to 12 birds, have been observed, usually in the non-breeding season.  It also says they roost at night, in shrubs in understorey within territory, usually as a pair.

 

Interesting to me is how they are all very close together which contrasts with the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Red-rumped Parrots, Satin Bowerbirds and Magpie-larks which I’m more familiar with, as they seem to do it singly or in pairs, even though there may be multiple birds in the roost shrub/tree/site.

 

Regards

 

Jack Holland

 

From: Tony and Tash Manderson

Sent: Wednesday, August 8, 2018 8:14 PM

To: canberrabirds chatline

Subject: [canberrabirds] Re: Large group of roosting Brown Thornbills

 

Thank you all for the feedback. As a young birder, I am especially appreciative of the advice. We will head back out at dusk over the next few nights and try to see them again.

 

Regards

 

Liam

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From: Tony and Tash Manderson <>
Sent: Wednesday, 8 August 2018 4:53 PM
To: canberrabirds chatline
Subject: [canberrabirds] Large group of roosting Brown Thornbills

 

Hi all,

An interesting observation in my backyard yesterday was a large group of roosting Brown Thornbills. In the photo (https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47719621), there are 17 birds (we think), but in total there were 24 in this group. Is this a normal observation for this species? They are commonly seen in my yard, but usually only a few at a time.