Hi I am new to the site. I took this photo in the south west WA, i think it is a Beautiful Firetail. All the book say it should not live here. Hope you think my photos ok.
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Hi , it certainly is beautiful
, seems to be a juvenile (?), you can just notice the black mask around the eye develop. I have never seen one, although going by what my books tell me, I should have them where I live. But my map also tells me ,there shouldn't be any in WA. Did they get it wrong? (I'm waiting for some of the experts to tell us
)
It is a very nice photo.
M-L
I think its a juvenile red eared firetail ,but a very nice shot ,I would love to see one in the wild.
Thanks sparrow, that makes sense
, should have trusted the map of distribution
M-L
Thanks,now I understand why its here. I hope it stays around then I can take a photo of the Adult red eared firetail.
The book I have is very small recommend a good book to buy.
Yes, you'll notice that it lacks the fine underneath barring of the beautiful firetail.
Lynn, if you're looking for a good field guide just wander into a good book store. They usually have a variety. I use Field Guide to Australian Birds by Michael Morcombe because of the detailed information on the depictions of the birds & also because of the breeding information. But there are excellent field guides by Pizzey, Simpson & Day &, Slater. If you want something to hold down your paper work in a strong breeze then the Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds is a beauty but more expensive than the others.
It really boils down to individual preference & many avid birders end up with several.
By the way, the grass behind your excellent pic looks like Windmill Grass Chloris truncata, the seeds of which are a delicacy for firetails. No need to put up a feeding station to attract firetails; just plant native grasses.
Definitely a young Red-eared Firetail,I've seen these birds before a lot. Where abouts in W.A. are you?
Great pic , love the finches and something we rarely see . Definetly a juvenile Red Eared Firetail . Beautifulls live around the coast from Kangaroo island around the coast up to southern NSW and Tassie. Looking forward to more especially the adult male.
Books:-
Simpson and Day - field guide the birds of australia
Michael Morcombe - field guide to australian birds
I also have Graham Pizzey & Frank Knights feild guide.
If you have a smart phone you can get the Michael Morcombe field guide as an app, around $24 I think but it includes bird calls as well.
Neil
Would like to see one of these