This is a smallish bird I saw about 130km north west of Bourke. It flew into this tree, I took a couple of photos and then it was gone so I don't know what it sounds like or anything about it habits. It is about the size of a Babbler.
Thanks.
ID Help- Out West
Thu, 28/04/2011 - 07:15
#1
akasha
ID Help- Out West
Hi Akasha,
I'm not sure - my first impression is along the lines of a Rufous Songlark. The white eyebrow and the pale mottling on the chest look right, but I think Rufous Songlarks are noticeably smaller than babblers.
I've really enjoyed looking at the photos from your trip.
Regards,
Andy.
Could be a female White-winged Triller?
http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/science/Evolutionary_Ecology_Research/Ecology_of_Cumberland_Plain_Woodland/woodland_wildlife/vertebrate_animals/lalage_sueurii
Though it's my best guess. :)
That was my other guess Windhover, mainly because, for comparison, S&D have a pic of the female triller on the same page as the Rufous Songlark :-) They look quite similar.
Akasha, you may have already mentioned this, but where exactly did you go? I know it was 130km north of Bourke, but were you in a national park? Or at a well known birding location? Did you go out birding on your own or with a tour group? I'm trying to find places to go to see birds but don't really know how to go about it.
Thanks,
Andy.
I can see why Andy. I have a couple of Rufous Songlark shots in my gallery. I think this bird here does not quite look as robust as the RS? I may have to phone a friend. :)
http://amatteroflight.com/gallery2/v/ausbirds/grassbirds/
Andy and Windhover, thanks for your help. I think you are right about it being a Songlark.
Andy, I was on a privately owned sheep station that my Dad's boss used to own and where I spent alot of school holidays as a kid. He sold it about 10 years ago and we have just got back in touch with the current owner who let my Dad, brother and I spend some time out there. It wasn't a birding trip, I just got very lucky with the sightings. Of all the places I've been it has the most abundant bird life, especially now after the rain they had last year.
I don't know where you're from but another good place I've been birding is Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve, north of Mudgee NSW. It is supposed to have over 200 species in quite a small area. I've only spent a few hours there but saw Little Lorikeets, Yellow Thornbills, Varied Sittellas and Jacky Winters among others. There are Regent Honeyeaters there too but I didn't see any.
Abercrombie Caves south of Bathurst are good too, lots of small woodland birds.
Botanic Gardens are great too. I spend alot of time at Orange Botanic Gardens and have taken heaps of photos, especially in the spring when the birds are nesting and hatching chicks.
One place that I was disappointed with from a birding perspective was Lake Eyre. I went out there in August last year expecting to see heaps of birds but there weren't any. The water was too salty for the fish to survive so the birds never came.
Places I'd really like to go are North Queensland and to the northern part of NT. Some of the photos people from up that way post are amazing. Lots of species I've never seen before.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for that info, Akasha. I'm in Brisbane in Qld but am keen to travel in order to see more birds. I'm especially interested in going inland a bit. I'll make a note of those spots that you've mentioned.
Yes North Qld and Northern Territory would be fantastic for birds. However, because I live in sub-tropical Qld and have been to rainforests several times, I'm interested in going to other habitats.
Thanks again for the info.
Andy.
Hi Akasha, not a bird I'm familiar with but just from the field guides maybe a female Brown Songlark??
Ed Townsville NQ
Sent pic to my friend and he gladly said it's a Rufous Songlark and not a WwTriller, reasons being: It's a songlark, the triller has a plain back, pale rump and paler face. :)
Thanks, ed and Windhover. That's another species for me to tick off the list :) Only 600 and something left to photograph.
Just to confirm your recording of this bird as a rufous songlark, akasha, when I first saw your photo a rufous songlark immediately came to mind. I've watched this species closely every time it spasmodically arrives here (near Woodchester, SA) in spring. In breeding season they have a variety of calls at least one of which is loudly repeated ad nauseum til I'm sick of it!