This is not a brilliant photo but it documents the first time I have seen and photographed a Sparrow in my town. Sparrows are not native to Australia. These birds are one of the many things that early settlers brought with them. I saw Sparrows over at Rainbow Beach when I first came here about nine years ago but at that time there were none right here. I saw these in a friend's yard. Usually there are numbers of Brown Honeyeaters in her yard but now there are either Brown Honeyeaters or Sparrows. These birds don't eat the same things so it is not food competition which is making them uncomfortable in the same yard. It will be interesting to see if they learn to live in close proximity or if one displaces the other.
A much more welcome sight was this Whistling Kite which I saw in a large eucalyptus tree on the Crab Creek foreshore. A pair have lived and nested in this area for some time. This bird was high in the tree and it was hard to get a good view of it without branches or leaves in the way.
For more bird photos from around the world visit Wild Bird Wednesday.
interesting that the sparrows are not frequently seen there. we're beginning to see more eurasian collared-doves in our area. amazing how the species 'invade'. the kite is neat.
ReplyDeleteGreat series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteThat Kite looks like a great bird Mick.
ReplyDeleteOur House Sparrows are on the decline in UK - perhaps they've all emigrated to Oz like so many of us poms! ;-}
Interesting about the sparrows. They live here in Sweden too. Like the picture of the kite!
ReplyDeleteIt is not often I have seen such ice crystals either, because I have never liked the cold, but with a camera in hand it's nice to be out - sometimes! :)
Thanks for your comment! /Pia
It has never occurred to me that sparrows did not live in Australia! We have so many different varieties of sparrows here. One thing I like about blogging is how much you can learn while doing it.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff Mick, cheers to you!
ReplyDeleteLove your Kite!!! Beautiful. Weird how the House Sparrows will invade...but I believe it:) It's a tough sparrow that will make it's home almost anywhere:) I wonder how they got there.....
ReplyDeleteA great post for WBW!
ReplyDeleteWell done!
Those sparrows have invaded the world it seems, they are not native to the US either. But we have tons of them. Love the Kite, cool bird! Great photos.
ReplyDeleteI love the shots of the Kite,especially the rear view,the colors of the feathers meshing together are beautiful to me.phyllis
ReplyDeleteThat kite is magnificent.
ReplyDeleteWe have more Sparrows than we can count. Great captures of the Kite.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures of the Kite.
ReplyDeleteFantastic captures of beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures you show. Can see that there are also tree sparrows where you live.
ReplyDeleteTree sparrows a one of the most common birds in this country (Denmark)
Hi Mick .
ReplyDeleteTry to introduce Bird A to Bird B.
Actually you need a "Sparrowhawk".
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The real problem is lazy shop-keepers who leave rubbish around, and old corrugated roof buildings where Sparrows can nest easily.
Denis
the sparrow is ours! Must have lost it ways. This sparrow is actually decreasing in numbers where I live. :)
ReplyDeleteThe kite is very beautiful. :)
The kite is beautiful.... and the sparrow is definitely a sparrow ;>)
ReplyDeleteInvaders (fauna and flora) are a huge problem here in Florida. Probably some of the same reasons as where you live -- warm, easy living/growing conditions and lots of human invaders (er visitors -- like we are ourselves of course). Many times I will be admiring a flower or bird and then wonder if it is supposed to really be here. It's hard for a novice to tell.
Interesting about your sparrow population. Hope it doesn't get out of hand!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shot of the kite!
I see these every day - and tree sparrows once a week or so. Without sounding political - they should go back home!!
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks for the link to WBW.
Stewart M - Melbourne
What a magnificent bird the kite is!
ReplyDeleteLovely shot of the layered feathers.
Sometimes I look at a photo and wish it was better. I'm learning to appreciate the need to document things regardless so I'm glad you posted the sparrow shot.
I have never seen a whistling kite! What a beauty. Had no idea that sparrows are infrequent visitors to your area. We have too many and I'd love to share with you! :)
ReplyDelete