Aaaaargh!!! I just have to chip in...
There has been virtually no mention of what is obviously the most beautiful,
intelligent and charismatic of all Australian birds, the Galah.
Yes, it's had a bad press as a synonym for somebody exhibiting foolish or
laughable behaviour; ironic considering that it is based on complex social
'play' behaviour indicating intelligence. But if you have ever seen a flock
of Galahs wheeling and flashing their pink plumage in late afternoon
sunlight against the backdrop of an impending storm...
Other favourites? Well...
Common Myna - the irrepressible larrikin of the city streets.
Common Starling - the irridescent shimmer of the plumage.
Common Blackbird - the energetic excavator of the mulch.
House Sparrow - adding subtle movement to the urban landscape.
Spotted Turtle-Dove - delicate plumage set off by a dramatic spotted nape.
Emu - not bad in a stir-fry with ginger, garlic and cashews.
And an eighth? I will have to go for Short-tailed Shearwater, but
definitely not for culinary reasons - just the memory of huge flocks
swirling like giant mosquitoes over Cape Woolamai (Phillip Island, Victoria)
at dusk before coming down to their burrows.
Cheers, Hugo.
Hugo Phillipps,
Birds Australia Conservation & Liaison,
Australian Bird Research Centre,
415 Riversdale Road,
Hawthorn East, VIC 3123, Australia.
Tel: (03) 9882 2622. Fax: (03) 9882 2677.
O/s: +61 3 9882 2622. Fax: +61 3 9882 2677.
Email: <>
Web Homepage: http://yarra.vicnet.net.au/~birdsaus/
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