The feeding flocks of
Brown Thornbills around here, over the last few weeks, have at times been well above the
count of 12, plus augmented by Weebills, Striated Thornbills, Pardalotes.
Large birds are not really a useful comparison to thornbills, the thermal regulation for very small birds is surely different. Apart from male Emperor Penguins
when incubating eggs in the Antarctic winter, are there any large birds that roost in a huddle – as in full body contact?
Some finches also roost in communal groups in a roosting nest.
From: Jack & Andrea Holland [
Sent: Thursday, 9 August, 2018 8:56 AM
To:
Subject: Fw: [canberrabirds] Re: Large group of roosting Brown Thornbills
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.
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.
From: Tony and Tash Manderson <>
Sent: Wednesday, 8 August 2018 4:53 PM
To: canberrabirds chatline
Subject: [canberrabirds] Large group of roosting Brown Thornbills
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.
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