Melbourne ‘parakeet’

Dear all Thank you for the identification suggestions (posted on the forum and sent directly) for the Melbourne 'parakeet' that I posted. After checking some images on the Internet, I think the suggestion that the bird was an escaped female Superb Parrot is correct.

— Regards Richard . . . → Read More: Melbourne ‘parakeet’

Peregrine chicks

Watching the Baltimore skyscraper nest-cam? Really amazing. And the nest pair history (recapped in the Comments) is quite surprising. Judith – https://explore.org/livecams/falcons/peregrine-falcon-chesapeake-conservancy

— JudithLA

Melbourne ‘parakeet’

I wonder if anyone can assist with an identification as my reference books are not accessible. This morning a green 'parakeet' flew over and landed in a nearby tree. It was green overall. The bill was pinkish red, the head green, no collar was evident, chest and belly green suffused brown (not as clear . . . → Read More: Melbourne ‘parakeet’

“Phylogeny of the monarch flycatchers …”

Thanks, all. Here we go! – still current, apparently, for those with access through Science Direct – Andersen, M.J.; Hosner, P.A.; Filardi, C.E.; Moyle, R.G. (2015). "Phylogeny of the monarch flycatchers reveals extensive paraphyly and novel relationships within a major Australo-Pacific radiation". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 83: 118–36. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2014.11.010.

— JudithLA

. . . → Read More: “Phylogeny of the monarch flycatchers …”

Magpie-lark … taxonomic history

The limited history in my house of this species’ classification is summarised in Simpson & Day 1988 – as ATTACHED – where Magpue-larks are grouped among Australian mud-nesters & just before the Corvids (where Cayley had associated it), “in a new Family with the New Guinea Torrent-lark”; & with a footnote pointing towards possible future . . . → Read More: Magpie-lark … taxonomic history

white faced heron

Driving between Wilmington and Melrose SA yesterday I observed a white faced heron standing next to a kangaroo carcass. I did not see the heron eating the carcass but that was the distinct impression formed as to why it was standing there. It did not strike me as haphazard or coincidental behaviour. We are . . . → Read More: white faced heron

Magpie-Lark behaviour

For just a few moments, watching the Kimberley dvd “Outback”, I saw a Magpie-Lark land on a kangaroo’s back, take a few steps, then tilt to peck in the fur. Is there still a question about the evolution / phylogenetics of this species? Weren’t they thought to have possibly derived from waders? This is a . . . → Read More: Magpie-Lark behaviour

Superb Fairy wren feeding behaviour

My wife had this observation of SFWs outside her work nr Canberra Airport. “I watched 7 superb wrens: a piece of cheese was on the path, they took turns to peck bits off it. One would peck then move to the left, another flew in until there were 5. They took turns pecking, always moving . . . → Read More: Superb Fairy wren feeding behaviour

The songbirds are returning

SUNNY DAYS AND BIRD SONG IN TROMSØ, N. NORWAY

Since I last wrote to you, we have had a period of mild weather, and the last few days gave a spring feeling: sunny, clear skies, long days and temperatures for the first time this year in . . . → Read More: The songbirds are returning

Black-breasted button-quail

well said Martin, that IS definitely worth a try… from one of the other Martin’s!! 🙂 martin cachard solar whisper crocodile & wildlife cruises, Lower Daintree, FNQ & trinity beach, cairns, FNQ From: Birding-Aus <birding-aus-bounces@birding-aus.org&gt; on behalf of Martin Butterfield <martinflab@gmail.com&gt; Sent: Wednesday, 24 April 2019 11:42 AM To: Kirri Hardy Cc: birding-aus NEW . . . → Read More: Black-breasted button-quail