It has been a while since I posted any shots of the Green Catbirds that frequent my garden and surrounds. So as I got a few shots this morning when they came down to visit I thought I would post a few for any newcomers that may not have seen then before. One of these is probably the juvenile that is in my avatar from last year's breeding season.
Hmmmm can I get to that strawberry without her catching me ???
Yay got some at last !!!!
Hope you enjoy seeing these again or for the first time. They are not common up here Araminta as you may think, they are just fairly common around my area. Some people here have never heard of one let alone seen one.
I don't mind at all seeing them again, birdie.
Thanks Woko, they are new shots but possibly the same birds. they are breeding here and live in family groups so it is hard to know if you are looking at the same ones ! I find them incredibly beautiful with their emerald green striking colours and the calls are so different .. they vary at different times of day too.
Sunshine Coast Queensland
I love them, they look like some green fruit hanging on a tree.Like all your other shots, absolutely beautiful! I for one can't get enough of them. (do they eat lots of strawberries?) I have never seen one down here, although the Birdfinder says they are secure in Victoria. I get the impression, people don't like them in their garden? If so, is that because they are noisy screamers? Question, where in Vic would I find them? Has anybody seen some around Melbourne? M-L
M-L
I always love to see your Catbird shots. Great looking and I have never seen one.
Cheers, Owen.
Great shots Birdie. I agree with the others never tire of your catbird photos. ML going by our field guide catbirds are not in Victoria at all. Please keep posting Birdie its always a delight.
Yep, sorry M-L, you'll have to travel further north to find them! Can't imagine why people wouldn't want them in their garden though - must be because they eat things we want to eat! I find their call amazing, I don't think it would irritate people...??!
I didn't think we had them here either, until BIBY birdfinder confused me by saying under Consrevation status (of the green catbird), Vic - secure. So, what do I make of that? Or am I misreading this? M-L
M-L
LOL. Typo there. I think it's meant to say 'not present' for Vic!
Cheers, Owen.
Nice pick up guys - yep that should be not-present.
I will change it early next week, remind me if I don't!
Holly
I thought that was pretty strange ...as they are a tropical /subtropical bird. Marie-Louise, I haven't fed them for over a month or two until this week, as they have been busy getting ready for the nesting season. But they have been a bit more present lately and I can call them down with a few kissing noises to get a few treats. it depends what fruit I have had in the house and if there is a bit left over once they are past their best time. they LOVE strawberries, cherry tomatoes, apples, grapes, mandarin and watermelon. I spike the tree so it is more of a foraging expedition for them and make sure that it is not regular (before anyone gets carried away with the not feeding stuff) LOL.
There are plenty of people who find them annoying because of their calls, but I am very tolerant with any bird calls and they have a much bigger variety than just the big "miaow" that people may know of.
On my morning walk I meet a another lady who is fortunate enough to have them nest at the bottom of her garden and we can see them regularly fly from there to the adjoining walkway and bush.
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Gorgeous! i think we get them here -South Coast NSW. Do they make noise not unlike a baby's cry too?
Yes mrT71 and apparently in the days gone by it was not unheard of to have search parties sent out into the bush looking for lost children thanks to that call. I have a few videos on you tube that I have made to show their calls if you are interested I will repost the link, just let me know it there is interest in it.
Sunshine Coast Queensland
That would be great to hear. Thanks!
http://youtu.be/OAZ_8m3Hc_4
Here you are MtT71, it is a bit long but the best calls start after 2.38m . Hope you enjoy it :')
We started the morning with rolling thunderstorms crashing through at 4.45am too .... great alarm clock!
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Good photos, and the bird is so green, don't think we get them here but see new birds all the time so might get a surprise one day!
Jeanne
Brisbane QLD
Thanks for the link! It was lovely listening, although I must admit to giggling every time the catbird squeaked like an old rubber toy. Funny stuff!
Jeanne , they would be there but more than likely up in the hills and rainforesty areas. They are not generally a suburb dweller , it is just that we hae a particularly unique environment with some of their natural habitat bounding our homes.
MtT71.... you can be forgiven the giggles, I still smile every time I hear them . It is a bit out there that sound LOL
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Your catbirds are real standouts with their unusual colouring. I like the one with the strawberry