Hi all, I am a new member and my love of birds comes from my Mother who adores all things avian. I recently moved offices from a drab industrail estate to a shed at the back of someones house near a strip of bush. Delightful. All manner of birds, all day, every day.
But I have a MAJOR mystery. I've seen a bird twice now that I just cannot identify. I read cover-to-cover in my bird book last night and can't find anything close. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo... yet. But from what I saw, it was:
- About 30-35 cm in size
- 75% of its body and wings are a greyish, cobalt blue
- Distinct lighter patches near the end of its wings (like a dollarbird, but I sware its not a dollarbird)
- Red head, a darker red maybe
- Maybe a dark yellow beak of some description
- Head shape was more like a figbird, NOT like a parrot. A slightly stubby beak.
It's got a parrot's colour scheme but I'm 90% certain its not a parrot (wrong shaped head and beak). I've looked over each and every one several times. So, for the record, these are the birds it is DEFINITELY NOT:
- Eclectus Parrot
- Pale-headed Rosella
- King Parrot
- ...Dollarbird..
But is it a dollarbird? I just saw a pair right now. I sware the one I saw had more red on the head. But what else can it be? It's got the under-wing patches, he right shape, the right colour.
Are there different variations on the dollarbird?
Maybe a juvenile or young Dollarbird. The red your describing for the head - could it be a brownish colour?
if you could advise your location - state and city/town might assist to rule in or out some species.
Not an expert with mainland birds, so hopefully you can get a photo, or someone else might look in soon.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I watched 2-3 of them hanging around a tall gum tree where I work all day yesterday. It has to be the dollarbird. From the book I have, it seems there are a number of colour variations. I got a photo but it is too distant to see clearly.