Sunday, May 15, 2011

Red-backed Fairy-Wren

I had walked right along the forest track without seeing or hearing any birds except way up in the canopy of the trees. I stopped at the end of the track close to the car park - and still nothing. So I got in the car and started the engine - then decided to look at the photos in the camera that I had taken out on the sand bank. Finally, I put the camera down and looked around before I began to back out and drive off. There - sitting just a few meters from the car and quite unafraid of the engine noise, were two Red-backed Fairy-Wrens (Melurus melanocephalus). They were sitting on a small branch that poked out from among the bracken fern and preening. All I had to do was open the window and point the camera out and take some photos. I am not sure if they were females or males in eclipse plumage. The books say that they are very similar. I guess if I spent as much time looking at "bush" birds as I do at shorebirds I would eventually get better at some of the finer points of ID. If anyone reading this knows - then please let me know.
For more bird photos visit the Bird Photography Weekly.

18 comments:

  1. Thanks for commenting Amila Kanchana, and Kah-Wai Lin.

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  2. how sweet. :) And such fine birds.

    I am surprised you was a long walk and found nothing. It seem to be so many birds down there. What you describe is what usually happens here. And, really, sometimes I wodner if it is worth it. :( But, then, someone shows up.

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  3. Aww, look at them sitting there together. Lovely shot, Mike.

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  4. Thanks for commenting NatureFootstep, Gwendolen, Modesto Viegas, and Texwisgirl.
    I was walking the forest track very early in the morning and it might have been a bit too early for birds to be visible down under the tree canopy.

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  5. These are great shots of the Fairy Wrens Mick! Sorry I can't help with the ID but I think you are fortunate to have the opportunity to photograph these little cuties from such close range!

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  6. Thanks for sharing the photos. I even busted out my Birds of Australia to study up on them.

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  7. Hi Larry, it was a very lucky chance that had these two come and roost so close to the car. Apparently a car can make a good bird hide!
    Hi BirdingisFun - I like it that you have a book of Aussie birds!

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  8. ...what a sweet bird...and what a perfect name! I love it. Glad you looked up as you were pulling out...lovely photos.

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  9. Thanks for commenting Kelly and BirdingMaine.

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  10. G'day Mick,
    See, I've been telling you for years how sweet the bush birds are. Nice captures - chance encounters are often the best, hey?
    Gouldiae

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  11. Hi Gouldiae, I agree they are really nice little birds - BUT - a good bit harder to find than hundreds and even thousands of shorebirds!

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  12. They're such sweet little guys (or gals)! Adorable birds. Glad you waited a while in the car.

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