Saw a strange occurence on the weekend at Gluepot (first visit and it was great)
Noticed a perched Kestrel that allowed me within a reasonable range for a few shots, which in itself was unusual as I have normally found them to be very wary.
Looks like he had other things on his minded as he proceeded to regurgitate what I suppose would be animal bones etc. Anyone know anymore about this behaviour?
Your kestrel isn't wary because it's a light morph brown falcon ;)
Definitely regurgitation of the undigestibles (bones, fur, insect shells etc), fantastic to capture such behaviour. I've only ever seen it in bee-eaters a single time. It's fascinating though.
Nice shots :)
Birding Blog: Close Encounters of the Bird Kind
Thanks Rebecca, I really was unsure that it was a Kestrel as I am not so good at identifications, but thought if I get it wrong someone will tell me
Even better is that it is my first Brown Falcon
Really interesting and unique shots rick ....
(I have seen a currawong expel a single big pellet of indigestibles)
Good one Rick. I suspect there's a number of species which have regurgitation down to a fine art. I wish I had the same skill.
How fantastic to capture this Rick! I think Rebecca has summed up the why's beautifully. I may be wrong, but I think I recall reading once too that once they (a BOP specifically) regurgitate, it triggers the hunt instinct. Or perhaps that's just a natural following act because they're then very hungry with a completely empty stomach
. Either way, love that you were there to get these beaut shots!
West Coast Tasmania
Great shots mate, what equipment you using here?
Gee Rick awesome photos , I couldn't pick the difference either , I would have gone with Kestrel as well. I have heard Gluepot is awesome for birds so many varieties, I have Southern Birding Sevices on my facebook and they show alot of what they have photograghed at Gluepot. I too have seen a few birds do this regergitating action with magpies and woodswallows , it is very interesting indeed, also great to photograph. Keep up the great photos and keep sharing.
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Thanks all,
Shoop, Gluepot was great though more challenging than I had expected. May have had something to do with lots of rain the previous few days plus lots of overcast sky. Birds were very wary and nothing at the hides at all.
Saturnv78, Body was D7100, lens nikon 300/f4 with nikon 1.4tc. For what it's worth I think the combo is an excellent "budget" birding setup taking into account the DX cropping factor. I have been using the 300mm on my D600 for a while but borrowed the D7100 body for a tryout and was impressed. Can't afford a prime 600mm so I think the combo is a great alternative.
Rick
I am off to Gluepot on Easter Saturday & Sunday
Could you tell me where to go - actually any hints on places that I should definitely visit?
you can email me - cranep1@optusnet.com.au
Peter
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Thanks for the great info, looking at getting a new camera/lens combo at the moment, sounds like a good set up, dont have massive dollars to spend unfortunately!
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