I am not normally into posting captive birds, but I spent a really enjoyable time at Australia Zoo yesterday quite unexpectedly. The sun was out after a freezing cold night here on the coast making it a perfect day for strolling around and enjoying the sights.
Most impressive was the Bird of Prey talk, which is held casually at the BOP aviary and then a chance to get up close and personal with some of our most beautiful raptors. It makes such a difference being able to see close up the size of their beaks and talons and not forgetting ..... those amazing eyes!
This Powerful Owl female was rescued when she was very young after a bird attack took out one of her eyes..... now she is used as an educational experience to all the visitors allowing them to see how important it is to get an injured bird some help if possible and to look out for them at roadsides etc
The most beautiful barking owl was free flying for food in the aviary and calling at the same time, giving me a chance to finally hear one in real life ....great experience
And the show would not be complete without this beautiful young male Wedgetail eagle.... I really loved how they showed you how they cover their prey with their wings to keep other birds from getting to their food
As well as these they flew a Whistling kite who showed how agile they are when catching food in mid air and explained how they were one of the few BOP who can eat on the wing to prevent others taking their food.
The free bird flight show is always fun and I am afraid my camera work is just not up to the task of capturing the Macaws or the Black cockies and Major mitchells and they whizz overhead.
Birdie, it would be interesting to know if seeing Australian birds like this in an Australian zoo changes Australians' behaviour towards Australian birds.
I think it most definitely does Woko .... the education process is comprehensive and I believe it makes people far more aware of such stuff as road kill and the need for raptors to help farmers with their rodent control etc. I also think that getting to the youngsters is huge as it makes the next generation think and they in turn remind their parents of stuff as they drive through the countryside. Oz Zoo does get a large amount of domestic tourists as well as International ones. They do a lot of good contrary to what some may believe I feel just by exposing people to the birdlife and wildlife in general. People used to shoot Wedgies etc to protect stock but I think there isi a lit less of that around here these days.. or so I am told by locals anyway
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Beautiful captures birdie, and what a wonderful experience and fantastic account of your day and the work they do there. I rarely get to visit zoos etc, and there are some I would never visit to be honest too - but love to experience ones such as this, when they're an organisation clearly enthused and active with education, rehab and preservation of Aussie Wildlife etc. I must say too, I'm impressed they colour co-ordinated the bg for the gorgeous Powerful Owl, matches her eyes beautifully.
West Coast Tasmania
Ha ha Annie
when I looked at my results I couldnt work out how I got that orange BG, but I think it was just the very gold afternoon sun and being so close in to her..... she was amazing as were the others. I loved how the keeper was explaining to people that if on their rural properties if they had dead trees or logs that to leave them there was the best thing for our wildlife.
Thanks for your kind words about my shots , I am always hesitant to post captive birds as I am a bit of a purist and feel it is not the same .
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Great photos birdie and an interesting day at the zoo. Your barking owl shot is fantastic.
I learnt alot just from reading your posts. I have seen a Kestrel recently eating on the wing, I wondered why it did that, now I know.
Thanks Whistling Duck ... that Barking Owl was just beautiful to be near.... those eyes were unreal. The Keeper was saying that they cannot move their eyes without turning their heads...something I did not know either. For that reason their heads can do almost a 360deg turn. The Barking Owls are apparently an endangered species in Victoria due to habitat loss for a variety of reasons. very sad to think that .
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Great shots and story Birdie. I know what you mean about the captive bird/purist thing.
I have trouble editing if there is anything man made in the background, just a bit of my personal OCD I think
Oh Rick .... thanks and I know just what you mean, other people are taking shots around me at times of birds or something , and I am like .... 'No cant take that ... there is a "structure" behind it..... same if there is a piece of litter or a non rustic post or ANYTHING that looks like a person made it .... and if there is a car in it then just forget it
You will note that with these shots, although they were on the arm of a Zookeeper .... I managed to position it so you wouldnt know... took a lot of shots with bits of shirt and people behind etc.
I must be as OCD as you with that then
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Here is a perfect example Rick... this was a good shot to show a different wedgie "covering " his food so that other birds cannot see or steal it .... I found ti fascinating but just couldn't bring myself to edit and use the shots because of the background
Sunshine Coast Queensland
I know what you mean but if you were closer the background would be out of focus and you have a different perspective. Nothing like getting close up and personal plus you don't need the big lens!!
Samford Valley Qld.
Just lovely photos birdie and thanks for sharing the info, more amazing things I didnt know especially about the Wedgie covering its prey. I just dont think we will ever stop learning enough about birds.
I happen to visit a bird of prey show November last year and you do learn so much about these beautiful birds. Not sure if the bird handler at the show I saw was more worried than amazed when she had the Whislting Kite do a few laps in the air cause a wild one was obviously attracted to what he saw and decided to join the show she couldn't get her Kite out of the sky quick enough. The day we went wasn't sunny like yours it was absolutely miserable it just wouldn't stop raining and not light rain, bloody heavy pelting rain . The show was to be performed out in the open and we all ended up spending at least 3/4 of the show inside a storage shed, all standing shoulder to shoulder crammed in like sardines, drenched and cold . The handler kept us all very captivated with the knowledge and information that no one had the desire to leave ( bird lovers the things we do hey ?) . Finally we had a short break in the weather and the rain stopped and we got to see their stunning flight performances and see a variety of owls . I would certainly go and see another display again. I happen to take some photos that day despite the rain . Got a couple of the Wedgie , the poor thing looked so sad and unsatisfied . Not sure if you would want me to post them here ( which I can totally understand ) so I will post in a new thread.
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.