When I first moved to the Bunya Mountains, I heard mention of a bird called The King, a parrot. The first time I saw this bird I was disappointed. I had been expecting something pretty spectacular from a bird bearing that name. But no, he was not as big as a Cockatoo, nor as artistically decorated as say, a Rosella. So why the King ?
I recently discovered why. It is his absolute outrageous, supercilious, overweening, arrogant demeanour. He treats all as subjects, all as serfs, all as slaves. He is not discriminatory, all are beneath him.
I was sitting in Cafe Zac (the deck on my shack) no other person within kilometres, having my brekky of coffee and chocolate chip cookie. All was peace, God was in his heaven, all was right with the world. Suddenly from no where a fluster and a commotion .. I nearly wet my pants in fright .. and there on the chair beside me was this bird. Red and green
We stared at each other, I semi-stunned, he with what appeared to be a look of contempt. I raced to get my camera, terrified he would fly away. But no, he showed no concern, after allowing me to fumble with my camera like a total amateur, he posed while I made unintelligible clicking clucking noises, then walked over to my chocolate chip cookie and started to eat the nuts out of it.
He never asked, offered no apology, sought no permission. He stared off into the landscape, ruminating no doubt on important matters of state and slowly munching a nut, I was ignored, and then ... he was gone. No doubt off on some important mission related to the borders of his kingdom.
He couldn't stand around all day talking to me, pleasant as the brief interlude had been !
cool bananas ... Greg
Greg
good pics & video
Have you got a copy of 'Birding Areas in Wambo Shire'?
Peter
Some times I wonder if you have eaten a chocolate chip dictionary for breakfast . Anyway at the start of the video you can hear a cicada bird plus the rainforest waking up. Enjoy your day.
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
No. I had to look up Wambo Shire. I am in the South Burnett. No doubt the amalgamation of all the local councils has changed things around up here. I found this PDF from Wambo Shire, 'Birding Areas of the Wambo Shire' and it appears very informative. I am just bit further up the North East from munro's Camp.
I could not find any other reference to the book. But maybe it is a local council production and possibly I can get it from the Dalby Council offices ?
Some of these books are expensive. Scats and other Traces by Barbara Triggs is $40.00. Haa ... I have ordered it.
Thanks for that Pacman.
Wow ... will have to listen again .. I never noticed. But first I will have to look up 'Circada Bird' ... ummmm ... can't find it, but maybe some reference to 'Cuckoo Shrike' .. but not really a cuckoo ? If it is this bird then I have seen it many times ... quite an 'elegantt' bird ?
Ta for nice remarks ... and enjoy your day too. I am a callout tech and have been on call 24 in brizzy for the entire flood-storms ... dead on my feet .. but this weekend 4 days up at my mountain .. can hardly wait.
cool bananas ... Greg
Hi Darin ... can you identify this bird. It 'sings/whistles' at the 20-28sec mark in the video. I have heard it many times but never been able to sight it. Much appreciated if you can.
Click Here
cool bananas ... Greg
I think I heard a peaceful dove too on your video, Greg.
That is the cicada bird Always heard more then seen , unless in flight from tree to tree. sorry Greg I only play the tape once
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
that's the one Greg
should be avaialble from Tourist Information centre
Peter
Thanx Woko ... I looked it on the bird finder and think I have seen it around. But no recording so will have to pay close attention next siting.
Thanx Darin .. But I actually meant the bird in the second video. A piercing 8 second 'machine gun burst' of notes, falling off towards the end. But will post it in 'Identifications'. Not sure 100% but I think I have heard this bird in Brizzy surburbia as well.
Thanx Pacman ... Will get this from either Kingaroy or Dalby. Much appreciated. I watched a show on ABC once where somewhere in NSW teams spend a whole day identifying species. At least 1 member must site and second confirm. I tink the winning team had well over a 100, maybe much more. It looked like good fun, but I never realised at the time how much skill and effort this takes. I suppose it is always easier to do it better when your watching from your lounge chair ... Haahaa
Cool bananas ... Greg
Mutawintji
Bit late with my comments but I agree with you that king parrots are amazing birds. They are quickly 'human friendly' and surprisingly curious. If I accidentally leave the screen door open they will wander inside and have a look around. The one in the photo sat on the chair and watched television for about 10 minutes oblivious to my wandering around finding the camera to get a shot. Apparently the green stipe down the wing is individual for each bird and can be used for id but I haven't got that far myself yet! Great photos btw.
Ron
Wow ... Thats an amazing photo. The bird cannot even see you, yet knows your behind it and is totally unconcerned.
It really is watching the show !!!
They are soooo engaging and yet dismissive of humans you can't help but like them.
Thanks for that shot. Is it a female, or maybe immature.
Cool bananas ... Greg
Hi Greg
The king parrot was definitely a young bird, I think it may have been a young male as, from the front, you could see some reddish feathers coming through around the neck area. Perhaps the 'coolest' of the flock in terms of his self-assurance.
Ron
I don't even have to watch the second video to know its a Lewis honeyeater . It's used as a warning call .i bet as you enter the rainforest you will hear it or if a bird of prey fly past you will hear it as well
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW