Sunday, January 24, 2010

Cockatoos

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos seldom come down close to my yard although I often see them flying overhead. The other day several flew down into the top of the big pine tree next door. (This was early in the morning so all the photos have a golden tint.)
They sat up there for few minutes and screeched in their usual noisy fashion and then flew off.
One of them was left behind and didn't seem to realize that the others had already gone. It climbed into the top of the tree and called for them. The Peewees (Magpie-Larks) didn't like this noisy neighbour and launched an attack. The Cocky almost fell out of the tree in its hurry to get away. It looked like a bunch of black feathers.
Meanwhile the Peewee returned to its nest and reassured its mate that it had chased off the intruder.
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17 comments:

  1. NeilJanuary 24, 2010 at 2:14 PM

    Great photos of the Male Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo Mick.

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  2. mickJanuary 24, 2010 at 7:11 PM

    Thanks Neil, you made me check in my book - and of course you are right - the pink eye ring and the darker beak mean its a male.

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  3. eileeninmdJanuary 24, 2010 at 7:54 PM

    The Yellow tailed Black Cockatoee is a cool looking bird. How cool to have these birds in your yard. Great photos and thanks for sharing the birds from your world.

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  4. SnailJanuary 25, 2010 at 12:08 AM

    And the cockatoos didn't pull apart the pine tree while they were sitting in it? They must have had bigger fish to fry!

    Hope the lone cocky managed to relocate its mates. I expect it'll be paying more attention next time.

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2010 at 2:07 AM

    Fascinating to watch them interact, isn't it? In addition to appreciating them for their good looks.

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  6. Johnny NutcaseJanuary 25, 2010 at 6:08 AM

    neat photos, they're great! that second to last one - the flight shot- crazy! Love 'em.

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  7. mickJanuary 25, 2010 at 6:42 AM

    Thanks for commenting Eileen, Snail, Wren and JN. Snail, you are right - I am very glad they didn't stay around too long as they are such destructive birds! We say lots of them when I lived in NSW and used to have to have a 'clean-up' under the pine trees because of all the bits they dropped and tore off.

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  8. tilcheffJanuary 25, 2010 at 11:12 AM

    A beautiful in-flight shot, Mick! Congratulations!

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  9. mickJanuary 25, 2010 at 12:42 PM

    Thanks Nickolay

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  10. UnknownJanuary 25, 2010 at 1:19 PM

    Thanks for that good laugh at 5 am :D
    That picture of the bundle of feathers is priceless.
    If you can talk about a face expression, that birdie sure has one!
    I'm still chuckling :)
    Beautiful birds btw. :)!

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  11. RedzlanJanuary 25, 2010 at 3:07 PM

    Never seen this bird before.
    We a classic malay song about this "Burung Kakaktua" - cockatoo bird.
    Nice in flight shot.

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  12. LarryJanuary 25, 2010 at 5:35 PM

    Great story and photos Mick. That full in-flight shot is awesome!

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  13. Thomas VattakavenJanuary 25, 2010 at 8:43 PM

    You have some great shots. Love the last but one shot the best

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  14. BirdingMaineJanuary 26, 2010 at 2:44 AM

    WOW, great photos of the Cockatoo's Mick!

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  15. mickJanuary 26, 2010 at 4:29 AM

    Thanks for commenting everyone. It was great to finally see these birds close to home again - and the chase by the Peewee just made it extra special.

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  16. Bob KaufmanJanuary 26, 2010 at 8:33 AM

    Great shots of the Cockatoo, Mick! The flight shot is superb!

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  17. Rambling WoodsJanuary 27, 2010 at 12:29 PM

    I never have birds like that. I guess they don't like snow. LOL. I find watching the bird's behavior is as much fun as counting how many birds you have seen....Michelle

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