Pilotbird?

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rachaelbaggallay
Pilotbird?

I chased this little bird with my camera for ages and still struggled to get a decent shot. It stayed on the ground but was very quick to move around. I'm wondering if it is a Pilotbird? Found in Budawang NP, NSW.

Canonguy
Canonguy's picture

Yes, looks like it. Hard to get clean shots of them!

Lachlan
Lachlan's picture

It certainly looks more like a Pilotbird than a Rock Warbler. I think I can see scalloping on its breast, and its throat looks pretty dark too. 

Budawangs is the absolute south of Rock Warbler's range too. Out of curiosity, where in the Budawangs were you?

rachaelbaggallay

We were hiking into Monolith valley, in between Mt Owen and the Castle. When I saw the range of Rock Warbler I immediately changed to Pilotbird. And I also noticed the faint scalloping in the 2nd shot. Thanks.

Lachlan
Lachlan's picture

Were you doing a day trip, or going further afield/camping at Cooyoyo Creek? Monolith Valley would make a pretty tough day trip!

rachaelbaggallay

Yeah we stayed at Cooyoyo creek for 2 nights and did a daywalk into Monolith valley from there. Definately wouldn't have made that plus the Castle in one day - although without heavy packs it would have been a lot easier ;-)

We had a flowering banksia in our campsite so had Eastern spinebills, Striated thornbills, Silvereyes, WB scrubwrens, Red wattlebird, Pied currawong, Eastern yellow robin, Crimson rosella and White-naped honeyeaters visit us. I'm just sorting through all my photos now.

lorne.johnson@d...
lorne.johnson@dow.catholic.edu.au's picture

Yes to Pilotbird. They can be hard buggers to see. I've heard them many times in 4 years of living in Bundanoon, NSW, but never seen one here, frustratingly. Lorne

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