Galahs

The area where I live has extensive commercial pine forests (Pinus elliotii) just to the west. These are not a native species - and in fact my book on native plants lists them as a weed! They grow very well for a plantation timber but their seeds blow everywhere and if left unchecked soon grow into huge trees which take over. When I first came up here this housing sub-division was almost empty of houses and there were large pine trees scattered all over it. Most of them have now been cut down but next door to me there is still an empty block with two very large pine trees on it. The birds all love big tall trees like this. Sometimes birds just perch there, sometimes they nest there, and the parrots are always on the look out for pine cones with seeds just right for eating. I went into my photo archives for this picture of the pine tree with a white Cocky (Sulphur Crested Cockatoo) enjoying the pine cones.

The other morning I saw pine cones all over the ground - I think the Cockies had been sitting up in the tree and feasting on the cones. They usually start eating a cone and then drop the residue on the ground.  This then makes a feast table for the Galahs. Galahs fly over my place most mornings but when they come down onto the ground they are especially fun to watch. They have a walk which is partway between a waddle and a strut! I counted 20+ the other morning - most sitting on the ground and eating from the cones which had fallen there but some also sitting and resting among the branches.

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and for more bird photos visit Wild Bird Wednesday.