Happy Monday everyone - I am back on deck this week (and catching up on way too many emails!)
This week lets look at the birds that spend their time down on the ground. They may be flightless or maybe they just like the lower levels :)
Bird of the Week Challenge: 15th June - ground-dwellers
Mon, 15/06/2015 - 11:53
#1
Holly
Bird of the Week Challenge: 15th June - ground-dwellers
I don't know how you manage to come up with a different topic every week...
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Apostlebirds are a bit of a ground dweller and very sociable.
Samford Valley Qld.
This Logrunner is definately a ground dweller
Flightless Tasmanian Native Hen (endemic) aka Turbo Chook.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Australian Bustards seem to like just wandering around.
Masked Lapwing plovers spend a great deal of time on the ground.
Rob.
Pipits spend most of their time on the ground
Peaceful Doves don't mind a wander.
Pittas forage mostly on the ground.
Samford Valley Qld.
I was hoping you would put that photo up Reflex.
Brown Quails are definately ground dwellers.
This Willie Wagtail has his feet firmly planted on the ground.
Buff Banded Rail.
Samford Valley Qld.
Southern Cassowary
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Some great shots!
Love the Buff Banded Rail Reflex
These guys spend alot of time on the ground
The Spotted Quail-Thrush spends most of the time scraping through the leaf litter (or the picnic area!)
Dave, Sydney.
Often see these guys on the ground - White browed Babbler
That's the best photograph of a White Browed-Babbler I've ever seen.
How's about a White-browed Scrubwren.
Samford Valley Qld.
The Red-browed Finch feeds on seeds and insects on the ground.
Thats my challenge Reflex! Its not easy - I dont want to bore you guys but dont want to make ones that will be too difficult. I do repeat some but try to put a twist whereever I can.
You do a great job Holly, I love the challanges!
As I have only been taking photos for under a year, and only have 177 different species, some of the challanges are harder than others.
Pheasant Coucals spend a lot of time on the ground.
How about a distant relative of the road-runner, a Bush Stone-Curlew. Not sure if they can fly or not to be honest? Beep-beep!
Samford Valley Qld.
EurasianCoots spend a lot of time on the ground. Reflex Bushstone Curlews are not listed as "flightless" so I presume they can. Our flightless birds are Emu, Southern Cassowary and Tas. Native Hen. I guess Penguins should also be included as well.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Dale, You are right. I just Googled, "can the bush stone curlew fly?" and found the following:
"During the day, bush stone-curlews tend to remain inactive, sheltering amongst tall grass or low shrubs and relying on their cryptic plumage to protect them from predators. When disturbed, they freeze motionless, often in odd-looking postures. For visual predators like raptors (and humans), this works well, but it serves little purpose with animals that hunt by scent such as foxes, dingoes or goannas.
Despite their ungainly appearance and habit of freezing motionless, they are sure-footed, fast and agile on the ground, and although they seldom fly during daylight hours, they are far from clumsy in the air; flight is rapid and direct on long, broad wings".
Reading between the lines the future for this bird in SE Queensland is not good.
Samford Valley Qld.
Australian White Ibis also spend time on the ground. No Emu yet, where are they?
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Here's a few Dale
Great photo Rick, I love your Emu series.
I often see Satin Bowerbirds spending time on the ground foraging for food.
The Magpie-lark is mostly ground-dwelling.
I waited for a while for this Red-browed finch to leave the ground.
Dave
Sydney
https://www.flickr.com/photos/12185187@N00/