Blue-winged kookaburra (Dacelo leachii)
The Blue-winged Kookaburra is a large species of kingfisher native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea. It is sexually dimorphic, with a blue tail in the male, and a rufous tail with blackish bars in the female. The Blue-winged Kookaburra hunts and eats a great variety of animals that live on or close to the ground. In the summer wet season, insects, lizards and frogs make up a higher proportion of their diet, while they eat arthropods such as crayfish, scorpions, spiders, fish, earthworms, small birds and rodents at other times. They have even been recorded waiting for and snatching insects flushed out by bushfires. The Blue-winged Kookaburra is a cooperative breeder, a group being made up of a breeding pair and one or more helper birds who help raise the young.
One last bird, seen in passing as we zigzagged through the mountains towards Thredbo. Literally in passing - it was sitting on top of a roadsign, and we went past it at 70kph. This photo of one was taken in Armadale, Perth - my reflexes aren’t THAT good.
Laughing Kookaburras are native to eastern Australia, but have been introduced to parts of WA, Tasmania, and New Zealand. They’re large kingfishers, but eat insects, reptiles, amphibians, other birds, and stolen sausages from barbecues.
Their famous laughing call has been used in the soundtrack of movies set all over the world - it’s a bit annoying.
Male Flame Robin in the rain by birdsaspoetry on Flickr.
Via Flickr:
Flame Robin, Petroica phoenicea
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One of a small family of Flame Robins that have turned up to winter over in the Woodlands Historic Park. They found a pool of water on top of a shipping container and in spite of the rain had a bathing session. Great, because we got to see all the family together and watch their antics.
More info and pics over on the blog.
birdsaspoetry.com/2013/04/14/some-days-its-just-great-to-…
Happy Halloween!
Palette from here: http://fav.me/d3hvsjv (I’m doing this meme right now but my 30 days are not exactly 30 CONSECUTIVE days, haha)
Silly Flame Robin, don’t you know candy is bad for bords?? : o
