Hi all.....I need some assistance.
A beautiful bird just landed in our back yard that looked like a black & white Kookaburra.
Any ideas what it might have been.
I'm on Far South Coast NSW.
Thanks
Kay
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Perhaps a Grey Butherbird?
Their beak can seem very prominent, and "kingfisher-like".
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/bird/22
Their call is very distinctive, and carries a long way.
.
Clearly it is much smaller than a Kookaburra, but the proportions can appear similar, at a quick glance. Males are clearly marked.
.
Down there you probably don't get the Pied BB.
Something to think about.
Cheers
Denis
Denis Wilson
www.peonyden.blogspot.com
Thanks Denis
He didn't look quite like the one in the link but he was certainly smaller than a Kooka and was very timid. The Rainbow Lorrikeets scared him off.
He seem to have that flat sort of looking head that kingfishers have and a beak that looked far too big for his body.
I got to look at him for at least a couple of minutes and he was on the ground just outside my office window no more than 1 metre away.
(I work from home)
I don't think I've ever seen a butcher bird so I don't have anything to compare.
If he comes back (and I hope he does) I'll try to get a pic
It occurred to me afterwards, that perhaps you had been looking at a Currawong, but they are longer than a Kooka.
.
A Butcherbird is distinctive in its flight.
They tend to fly very directly (straight line) with fast flapping wings.
Just a little point, but it might just trigger recognition.
Cheers
Denis
Denis Wilson
www.peonyden.blogspot.com