Apologies for being a day late everyone. Hope you enjoyed your public holiday (sorry WA residents).
This week's Bird of the Week is the quintessential urban small bird - the Willie Wagtail. I love the cockiness and confidence of Willie Wagtails. They will stand up to large birds without batting an eye. My favourite memory was watching one dive-bomb a White-bellied Sea-Eagle!
Can't wait to see some great photos of this great bird.
Hi Holly, for some reason I only ever saw one in my garden, that had just one look and left. I find them hard to take photos of, they are fast and hardly ever sit still. I took one photo yesterday at the Treatment Plant, there are countless Willie Wagtails down there, but here is my one and only shot, posted the same one yesterday,sorry :
M-L
Here is my submission to one of the friendliest birds around; and you are right M-L, even though they will come in very close to you they just flash and flutter all the time.
Regards
Shane
attitude.
don't mess with me.
Awesome pictures Shane and M-L, very clear and sharp
.
Heres one I've seen recently
i got a few close ups;here is one of them
Unfortunately there is not good weather today fo photographing.
Regards
Alex
they seem to be everywhere and in so many different poses
I adult pic and 2 pics of a young bird
Peter
Nothing intimidates a wagtail.
I reckon yours might be grey fantails, russianbear, which are in the same genus as the Willie Wagtail.
Here are some new generation Willie Wagtails.
I agree with Woko that Russianbear's shots are Grey Fantails.
Here are a couple of Willie Wagtail shots from the Western Treatment Plant including one which had alot of white feathers. Also a singing one from Woodlands Historic Park.
Cheers,
George
Melbourne, VIC
lots of great shots, I love those little ones squished into the nest. (one of the rare occasions we get to see one of Woko's photos?)
M-L
Sadly, Araminta, just as I was becoming familiar with my camera the dreaded swollen knee lurgy struck so I'm confined to resting-in-my recliner duties. However, it's given me the opportunity to become even more familiar with my camera.
Everyones shots are great. Headsie i love yours Little Willie hath no fear.
Sorry, may be this one is proper bird.
Regards
Alex
Lovely, brought a smile to my face on such a grey arvo. Well done all.
Alex
yes that is a Willie Wagtail and feeding young - what a great pic
Peter
Oh, fantastic pics. I love the little bird attacking the big bird, what a great pic.
I have often taken snaps of this bird, but hard to get them in an interesting pose. So these not so great shots are my contribution to the thread.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
A interesting thing I noticed a willie wagtail doing when watching a nest was the wagtail would find spider webs and collect them on its face then return to the nest and wipe the web off its face onto the nest. I dont know if it was to bind the nest or for some other purpose but it was deliberate.
A great observation, Headsie. They probably do it for a couple of reasons - to bind the nest material and to make it soft and cosy.
Cheers,
George
Melbourne, VIC
Not a bird I've had the opportunity to photograph much. This one was taken at my sister-in-law's place in the Clare Valley in South Australia last year. I occasionally see them at Lysterfield Lake but usually they're not that close to get decent shots of.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
I love the shots of the bird on the nest and binding it together with the spider webs, Headsie. There are many spider webs that are very sticky. Interesting that the nest seams far too small for a Willie Wagtail, she looks a bit squished in?
Kathie, I like your photo, what makes it look so pink?
M-L
The sun was shining on the clay pavers on the ground. The bird was on a table in the patio in their backyard. I hadn't realised how much the light was reflecting the colour till I saw the photo later.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
I think the bird of the week is a great idea, Holly. I love looking through everyone's photos of the one type of bird. The WW with the BOP was amazing, Headsie.
I have a WW singing. I like it because I can see the little bristles around the beak. I also have one with a spider and one all fluffed up.
Thanks Birdgirl
and lovely shots as always. It was something I was thinking of doing for a while but a discussion amongst forum members spurred me into action.
Headsie I love the nest shots! Always amazed me how they can put together such a solid and sturdy little nest - no doubt the spiders webs are integral to that.
And a good reason for letting spiders be. No wonder Araminta is easy on the cleaning at her place!