All,
If you were to choose a Rosella, what about the Eastern - a marvellous
assortment of colours, and quite a shy, somehow delicate bird, too.
No-one's included any seabirds, by the way. And some of the unique bird genuses
(geni?) or ecological niches of Aussie birds in general?
Looks like I've entered the discussion now, so I'd better think of a personal
top ten. How about:
Southern Cassowary
Wandering Albatross
Pink-eared Duck
Brolga
Square-tailed Kite
Eastern Rosella
Scarlet-chested Parrot (not that I've seen one)
(Lesser) Sooty Owl
Variegated Fairy-wren
Crimson Chat
Spotted Quail-thrush
Gouldian Finch
Painted Honeyeater
Damn, that's 13!! What do you drop from that list?? Oh, well!
Cheers
Tim
> From:
> To: ;
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] 10 birds as tourism attraction
> Date: Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:32:19 +0100
>
> Speaking with my tourist hat on, the birds that most blew my mind when I
> first came to Australia were the Rainbow Lorikeet and the Galah. The Rainbow
> Lorikeet is possibly the most colourful bird in the world, and the Galah just
> has the most amazing plumage - it reminded me of coconut ice. Both these
> birds are also very accessible and do cute things!
>
> Then we went to Lamington and Wow!!! King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas!!!!
> Amazing. Not to mention Regent and Satin Bowerbirds which not only look
> fantastic they do interesting things too such as build bowers.
>
> I would also include Cassowary. Kookaburra, Superb Lyrebird and a really
> bright fairy wren e.g. Splendid.
>
> That's 10 then - shame about the Wedgie and the Brolga! And what about
> Budgies????? They are a real high point for someone who has only previously
> seen them in cages. And then the Spinebills are pretty cute ...... And I just
> love Gang Gang Cockatoos (that hairdo and that creaking noise!) and the Black
> Cockatoos and of course Major Mitchell's - what a crest! ...... And don't
> forget the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo - to someone who has only seen pictures
> of one in the Famous Five books (was it the Famous Five???) it's great to see
> them in the flesh. And to experience exactly how loud they are!
>
> So I think you can see that for me Australia is really the land of parrots -
> Yes, they have them in other countries but yours are bigger, brighter and
> better (with the possible exception of the south American macaws) and they
> are also MUCH easier to see.
>
> Rosemary Royle
> Wales, UK
>
>
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