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Today's Topics:
1. Swift records (Philip Veerman)
2. unusual Satin Bowerbird behaviour (calyptorhynchus)
3. Re: Swift Parrots (Philip Veerman)
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2021 13:05:19 +1000
From: "Philip Veerman" <>
To: <>
Subject: Swift records
Message-ID: <>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I am just wondering if this is, or will be, the first year (July to June) in
COG's records of having no swifts (either species). The White-throated
Needletail was one of the species printed on Version 2, 3 & 4 of the GBS
Chart (those used from 1985 to 1999). Things have changed a lot.
Philip
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2021 15:52:38 +1000
From: calyptorhynchus <>
To:
"<>" <>
Subject: unusual Satin Bowerbird behaviour
Message-ID:
<
>
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Today (25/04/21) at around 2.30pm on a warm autumn afternoon I observed a
male Satin Bowerbird at a partially constructed bower near the end of
Downes Place, Hughes, on the edge of the Federal Golf Course. The bower was
located underneath thick Cotoneaster understorey beneath a Tasmanian Blue
Gum plantation. It was partially constructed in that about 15cm of the
tunnel had been constructed both sides (the tunnel is usually about 50cm
long) and was not fully woven and tightly meshed as finished tunnels are;
there was also little evidence of gathered blue objects scattered about.
What was interesting was that as well as the bower-owner another fully blue
male Bowerbird was present and seemed to be mimicking female behaviour. It
approached the tunnel with a yellow leaf in its beak, which it deposited
and then it hopped around making the sounds that female Bowerbirds make in
the bower area. For its part the owner, whilst not hostile, was not highly
engaged but kept an eye on the other male and hopped around slowly after
it. It was also vocalising, but with nowhere near the intensity that males
normally vocalise in the presence of a female.
I have heard that young, green males sometimes pretend to be females around
a bower in order to hear and experience the male courtship behaviour and
learn some tricks. Perhaps this was a male recently moulted into fully blue
plumage not realising that he was no longer disguised. And perhaps the
owner of the bower wasn?t advanced enough in its construction to be worried
about the younger male damaging it, but was just keeping an eye on him.
I have some audio of the noise which I will analyse and compare to written
descriptions of calls. If anyone has any thoughts or questions please let
me know as I will probably write this up for Canberra Bird Notes.
--
John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net
Make nature great again.
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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2021 21:13:07 +1000
From: "Philip Veerman" <>
To: <>
Subject: Swift Parrots
Message-ID: <>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
I went there again today about 4 p.m. No luck for about 20 minutes, then had a very quick view of about 8 to 10 Swift Parrots fly in a tight group over me, over Clift Crescent, sort of over the bus stop. I did not see if they perched in one of the trees there
or kept going but I could not find them again.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds On Behalf Of Rob Geraghty via Canberrabirds
Sent: Saturday, 24 April, 2021 6:50 PM
To: Adam FitzGerald
Cc: Canberrabirds
Subject: Swift Parrots
About 4.50 pm.
On Sat, 24 Apr 2021, 18:48 Adam FitzGerald, <> wrote:
Nice! What time was that Rob?
Sent from my iPhone
On 24 Apr 2021, at 18:45, Rob Geraghty <> wrote:
?
Five other people and I saw them this afternoon. I saw about 15. The whole group of people saw about 8.
On Sat, 24 Apr 2021, 18:41 Adam FitzGerald via Canberrabirds, <> wrote:
I heard them about 0800 this morning but didn?t get chance to go for a look.
Someone I know went there this morning about 1110. As they arrived, at least 15 shot across Clift Crescent & disappeared. A short time later another 6 did the same thing with another 3 a little while after that. He wasn?t sure if it was the same flock that
had split up or different groups.
I didn?t hear or see them at all for the rest of today so perhaps they?ve moved on now?
Sent from my iPhone
On 24 Apr 2021, at 18:21, Philip Veerman <> wrote:
?
I wonder if anyone else tried to find them. I was there 3:20 to 4:05 today but without any success. Could have been there but if not moving or calling would be hard to find.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds On Behalf Of Adam FitzGerald via Canberrabirds
Sent: Friday, 23 April, 2021 3:22 PM
To:
Subject: Swift Parrots
The Swift Parrots were back again today (corner Heagney & Clift Crescents). This time, 9x individuals were counted, with a number of others heard but not seen in the trees across the road. Estimated total number between 12-15 birds at least.
They were first noticed about 1130hrs, & seem to have settled in for the day, still being there at the time of writing (1510hrs). Birds were preening, snoozing & feeding on underdeveloped flower heads & lerps.
Some cracking images obtained too!
...Adam FitzGerald
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End of Canberrabirds Digest, Vol 6, Issue 46
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