Having come from Perth I have seen plenty of Wattle birds, both little and red. Now in Darwin I am seeing what looks like Wattle birds in my garden but the database says they don't occur up here. Any suggestions?
Also seeing a larger bird about seagul size, which is distinctive in it's silkly smooth grey head and shoulders. The wings are striped with grey/white/black (I think it might be what you guys call striated?).
Thanks,
Karan. (begginner)
Could the wattlebirds be friarbirds? Not sure about the grey bird... give me some more details re habitat, call etc... LJ
Agree with Lorne about friarbirds, will wait for further detiasl on the other birds, Cuckoo-shrike and Imperial Pigeon came to mind
Peter
Hi LJ. I definately do have the Little Friar bird in my garden but these birds are larger than the Friar, have a shorter beak and like the top of the canopy of the trees. They are eating the fruit/nuts from some sort of yellow flowering wattle tree. They seem to have several calls, one very much like the squawk of the Little Wattle Bird in Perth.
The sleek grey bird is larger again and I was amazed to see it jump into the bird bath and have a good old splash around yesterday. It appeared to be on it's own and I didn't get any call. I have only seen it twice over a period of 3 or 4 weeks. It is a handsome bird with a shortish beak, smooth grey head, shoulders and upper chest then black, grey and white striping.
I'm ashamed to say I'm stumped! Try to take photographs for us. LJ
The second bird could be a Pacific Baza - a very striking bird. It has a crest and is generally more brown and white than black and white stripes on the chest.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
The first one is a bit hard to guess at, but certainly sounds like one of the medium sized honeyeaters, though fruit and nuts are not normal diet for them. Maybe a figbird or oriole? (though they are a bit smaller than a friarbird).
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane