Hi there,
I saw my first Restless Flycatcher this week, and I've since come to recognise his call and have seen him in the distance a few times now! (Very exciting for me to see new birds!!)
But I also saw another bird on the fence the next day, which I suspected could be a juvenile restless flycatcher. Grey on top with buff throat/breast.
Would that be likely at this time of year? I don't really know anything about breeding seasons or how long it would take for a young one to darken up to the adult colouring.
I live in far nor-west Sydney region if that's any help :)
I know you can't identify my second bird without a picture, but if you say that it's likely there'd be young ones around now, I'd be pretty confident that was it (until I get to see one again - don't think they are frequent visitors to my backyard.)
Thanks for your help!!
P.S. Anyone know if there are any bird-watching groups around the Windsor/Richmond area? I'm probably best asking council..
hi there I still get excited when I see a new bird even after 40 years. Now I'm only having a guess here, just maybe the bird with the grey on top with buff throat\breast. Is a Satin Flycatcher [female] and just maybe the other one is a male ?
as for the bird-watching groups sorry I can't help you there but someone else maybe can
enjoy Nightowl
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
I used to live in far north-west Sydney and you get both Satin and Leaden out there. The females are very hard to tell apart but the male Satins are much shinier and the male Leadens are more blue-grey looking on top.
Cheers, Owen.
I think Leaden and Satin FCs would've migrated by now. You sure it was not a Grey Fantail?
See http://amatteroflight.com/gallery2/v/ausbirds/monarchs/
for Restless Flycatchers. IMG8131 shows immature birds fledged in October 2010 at Pugh's Lagoon, Richmond.
This is the Grey Fantail gallery (admittedly there's a Willy Wagtail that had sneaked in there):
http://amatteroflight.com/gallery2/v/ausbirds/Fantails/
Not sure of any groups out your way. There's the Cumberland Bird Observers or The Blue Mountains Bird Observers Clubs that birdwatch in your area.
Me, while I live near Castlereagh, I am often out photographing especially around the turf farms at Richmond, occasionally sneak around to Wheeney Creek and the Ebenezer areas. Great area you live in!!!!
Hi all,
Thanks for your replies! My first bird is definitely a Restless flycatcher - I saw it again, and the white extends to the throat, while the Satin and Leaden flycatchers are white only to the breast. I've also witnessed it's incredible "hovering" ability :)
Second bird.. I really don't know now! I would say it looked somewhat like this:
http://media.growsonyou.com/photos/photo/image/107669/main/IMG_4735.jpg
..which is labelled here as a juvenile restless. But I didn't get a close enough look.
Thanks Windhover - it is a great place to live! We moved here about 6 months ago, which is what has sparked my bird interest!