The picture was taken in SE QLD, sorry for low quality. Would appreciate any ideas what bird it might be as I'm new to birdwatching. Cheers!
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Being from SA I'm not too flash on Queensland birds. However, I'll kick this one off by suggesting it's a metallic starling. And welcome to bird watching Dreamy Magpie. If you enjoy it as much as I do you're in for a whale of a time.
I note in The Australian Bird Guide by Monkhorst et al that from about August metallic starlings migrate from New Guinea to north east Queensland. However, vagrants travel as far as northern NSW so it's plausible that you would see one in south east Queensland. Besides, with global roasting in full swing unusual bird sightings are not uncommon.
I'm interested to learn what Birdsinbackyarders from Queensland might have to report.
Thank you so much for a warm welcome and your response, Woko! Metallic starling indeed looks very similar. I wish I saw the eyes when I photographed the bird but they were in the shadow.
ETA: Another bird that looks somewhat similar to my inexperienced eyes is the common koel..
I'm ultra confident that after a little experience you'll see some significant differences between the Common (or Eastern) Koel & the Metallic Starling. Check out the difference in bill shape.
Now that you mention it, I can see that their bills are completely different. I focused on the metalic tinge on the wing, which is visible in some photos of the common koel I saw on Google. But the metallic starling is definitely a better fit.
That is a spangled drongo,
Kind Regards,
Spangled Drongo it is, demonstrating yet again that my knowledge of Queensland birds leaves a lot to be desired. I now note the squared off head which also shows that when identifying birds two heads are often better than one. Thanks Thomas.
Yes, spangled drongo for sure