Cicadabirds wing-shuffling

I notice that the Australian Bird Guide says that Cicadabirds ‘unlike other Cuckoo-Shrikes does not shuffle its wings on landing’. I don’t see Cicadbirds very often but I have definitely seen them shuffling their wings on occasions. What do other observers think? John Leonard

— John LeonardCanberraAustraliawww.jleonard.net

‘There is kinship between people and all animals. . . . → Read More: Cicadabirds wing-shuffling

Aust feather guide

Hi all, I think that one of the US guides to Australian birds included feather IDs. Maybe Readers Digest? Perhaps this might jog better memories than mine? Cheers, Tony Ashton

Feathers

I’m wondering whether there has been a book published on Australian bird feathers. Robin Irwin

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Barking Owl didgeridoo

Having just watched the Barangaroo Australia day ceremony on ABC TV, I noted that at the start there was a one minute’s silence item during which one didgeridoo was performed, the only comment made was that it was marking the dawn. However quite unlike the usual long drone sound, the performance seemed to . . . → Read More: Barking Owl didgeridoo

Wetland bird research

Is there anyone undertaking postgraduate research into Sydney region wetland birds? Dr Ihian Mackenzie

Covid – birding

Dear Birders,

Hope you all are fine; we are doing a short follow-up study how COVID-19 has changed birding. Please help us and answer a few questions, that take some minutes. You can also forward the link to others. In this last study from spring, Australian birdwatchers kindly helped us. The study can . . . → Read More: Covid – birding

Compact scopes

I am looking to buy a compact and light-weight scope as my first scope purchase, to use as my one and only scope.  My priority is a compact and lightweight one that will fit easily into a daypack, be convenient on public transport and packs into luggage for flying. That goes for a tripod too, . . . → Read More: Compact scopes

Question

When the devastating bushfires went through Healesville etc back in 2009 we

went through there on our way to Gippsland and stayed the night to support the locals.

My question is, has the birdlife recovered to the pre-bushfire numbers and if

so how long did it take.

Barney Enders

. . . → Read More: Question

Birdpedia – Australia – Weekly Digest

The following is a digest of Sightings Reported on Birdpedia for the period Monday, January 18, 2021 to Sunday, January 24, 2021:

Area: SA

Location: Rogues Point Yorke Peninsula

Brown Quail (Coturnix ypsilophora) (9) 2 Adult birds with 7 newly hatched chicks crossing road, after a bit of a panic 3 made it over the . . . → Read More: Birdpedia – Australia – Weekly Digest

Enquiry about Fred Smith

Hello,

Seeking some information for a historic piece I am working on. I am wondering if anyone knows of an obituary or tribute or whatever about Fred (F.T.H.) Smith. Well-known birder in Melbourne, especially of waders etc. I believe he died about 10 years ago. I remember him mainly from . . . → Read More: Enquiry about Fred Smith