Yesterday I had at least ten young GangGangs in my trees, all of them juveniles. They were fighting mostly, and what looked to me like practicing the mating game. They came back this morning, but it was too cold and rainy for me to go outside. Here are a few pictures I took.
(I hope to be back on deck soon, as my PC guru is working on stronger connections for me. Can't wait, have taken hundreds of photos in the mean time.LOL)
the young one tried to have a bath in the horse trough, it was very funny, there was a lot of water in it, and he had a hard time getting out again.
I love these Cockatoos I have only ever seen one and that was at Norman Lindsay's homestead in the Blue Mtns. You have captured these very well M-L.
Regards
Shane
Araminta, I thinky you've previously said that you haven't had any/many of this species around your place for some time. It's great to see that you have them lately in some numbers.
thanks
I have only seen them once, in Oct '10 at the Grampians
Peter
You remember correctly Woko. I haven't seen many in the last years, only two that came down to have a drink, I posted some photos of them back then. That is why this sighting gets me all excited. They have come two days in a row now, all of them are young birds. So, there is some hope for them in my area. Hope they can make lots of babies!? Good luck to them!
M-L
Good luck to them from me too. They are so gorgeous, and I am pleased to see these pics. I've never seen one before.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Absolutely beautiful. Thanks M-L you have put a big smile on my face. :)
made me smile; beautiful parrots!
Ah, you got a male then, well done. I would kill to get a nice shot of these.
Cheers, Owen.
Great shots of these beautiful parrots Araminta. Remind me of home in the Southern Highlands, NSW where they were plentiful, but I read somewhere (I think) they are threatened. Can anyone comment?
According to Morcombe the Gang Gang Cockatoo's status is "common in prime habitat of S NSW and NE Vic., but becoming rare where habitat is degraded." From my perspective all wildlife in Australia is threatened given the nation's penchant for ever more vigorous, short-term economic development. I note that a Bilby population has been found at James Price Point right where the Browse gas hub is planned to sit. (Habitat July 2012 p. 10). It'll be interesting to see whether short-term gas production will triumph over Bilby protection or vice versa.
Lovely shots ML. We see these where we go camping. Such beautiful birds. Hope they keep coming back.
Lovely birds, nice photos, thanks M-L. It's great to know there are flocks of them in the rural areas of outer south east of Melbourne.
Thanks Maureen, I wouldn't call 10 a flock, although these days you are happy to see any. The numbers at my place are up from last year, but unfortunately miniscule to 20/30 years ago, when a flock of GangGangs consisted of 100 or more birds. So the old farmers in Gembrook tell me. Sadly I think we will never get to see that many, unless we can revegetate and save some of their habitat.
M-L