Guess what I just saw?? Looking out the kitchen window a few minutes ago, "two new Bassian Thrushes". I thought I was imagining this, but no. They are real, I'm not dreaming. Look at the different colour. They are either females or juveniles, what do you think? Either way, how good is that?
First the one that was eaten by some animal, then one of the new birds.
Oh I am so happy for you, and I really feel your excitment. How lovely . Birds are truly great aren't they !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Very pleased to hear that two new birds have come to your garden, particularly after the bad news you shared with us. Pics are outstanding, well done M-L!
Cheers,
George
Melbourne, VIC
I think the sexes are similar & the juveniles resemble the adults in colour & pattern so I can't explain the paler appearance of #2. But #2 looks more slender than #1 so I'd say it's a juvenile.
There are two of the pale looking ones, their legs are almost white. Neither of them is scared of me or the dogs. That worries me a bit. Hope they don't end up as a pile of feathers
Should I teach them to be scared?
M-L
Yet another interesting question, Araminta. It would be interesting to know if the birds can discriminate between you & the dogs on the one hand & your neighbour's cats on the other.
When we had about 15 western grey kangaroos around I was able to sit on a rock & have them come within about a metre of me. However, this may well have made them sitting ducks for my sharp shooting neighbour if the kangaroos weren't able to discriminate between my neighbour & me. What I have noticed is that while the kangaroo numbers are slowly increasing they give no sign of becoming desensitised to my presence. As yet they don't come near our house, not even to drink from the bird bath as they used to before most of the previous generation or two were shot.
So while it's terrific being able to view animals up close & personal through not posing a threat to them, others of our species (& some of their pets) aren't nearly as benign. I suppose you could ask your neighbours if you should teach the birds to be scared or whether it's safe for the birds for you to continue as is. That might lead to a discussion about threats to birds.
Great work M-L! Love that second one.
I have a pair in my suburb for the first time ATM, but they stick to the billabong.
Cheers, Owen.
Some very interesting thoughts Woko. The neighbour is one of a kind, she doesn’t get it. She has a cat run, but still lets the cats roam during the day.
I don’t know whether the Bassians recognise me or not? (would like to think so, I also think the one I saved recognised my voice, because when I talked to her, I could get as close as 1m)
I think ,on the other hand, it’s what they have learned to be a good defence over a long period of time as being the best for them. (evolution at work) When they feel threatened, they freeze and stay motionless. They blend into the background so perfectly, that they are very hard to spot, unless they move. Not much of a challenge for clever and patient stalkers like cats.
As for the Thrushes and the dogs, I believe it’s the other way around, the dogs aren’t interested in chasing the birds, they are just part of their environment. A bit like the furniture of the garden.
M-L
How good is that! Almost like they "knew" you might need them too after losing Miss Bassian last week....well, it's a nice "human" thought I had anyway
West Coast Tasmania