Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

Many birds have undergone name revisions, both common and scientific, over the years and while this is a 'bifcus' to me, some people might argue the point. I imagine the birds themselves are wholly uninterested in the matter. Bifcus are serene looking, very attractive birds and I like them a lot as they are common where I grew up. I see them around Mt Majura every now and then.

Olive-backed Oriole

After the mixed flock of small birds went over this afternoon, I noticed a pair of larger birds, not going anywhere much. They were content to stay in one tree, though not overly enthused about being photographed. I also noted a lovely quiet gurgle-like call. This is the first time I have seen these birds in Canberra. 

Scarlet Robin

I was on the mountain today when a mixed flock came over. It included male and female Scarlet Robins, female Superb Fairywrens, Silvereyes, Yellow and Buff-rumped Thornbills and Grey Fantails. None of my photos are brilliant, with lots of twigs for me to focus on, not the birds, however it was a really lovely time and certainly inspires me to walk that direction again soon.

Grey Fantail

Peekaboo!

Buff-rumped Thornbill

Another Little Pied Cormorant

Another non exotic waterbird; this one going for the grunge look rather than pied.

A quick search reveals this chestnut staining has been recorded by twitchers at least as far back as 1933. It's probably due to the muddy water the cormorants swim in to catch food.

To be fair most of the Little Pied Cormormants that I see, round the traps, are stained or dirty looking like this one.

Following are some details showing the face close up, as clear as I can get for now. And there is also a picture showing the wings in the sunlight.

I had a little nut tree,

..nothing would it bear, but that's due to being shredded top down by cockatoos, rather than inherent tree properties.

 

This Chinese Pistache is the street tree outside my house and the photos were taken about 7:30 last evening. At 4-5 years old, the tree is 3.5m high. To my way of thinking it's on the small side for such large birds, but the cockatoos were happy with their seedy supper. One bird took a sample with it, when they flew off.

The cockatoos were around last week too. I didn't see them but the evidence/mess they leave behind, under the tree, is unmistakeable.  

That's a view towards Mt Majura in the background and you can also see the change of season in the colour of the leaves.

 

Yellow-rumped Thornbill

It's not an accident that I rarely post an image of a bird smaller than a duck. I still find small birds challenging and to be honest I don't see too many on my home patch. Today there were lots of these tiny thornbills in the trees close to the Farmers Markets. I'm happiest with the first image, as the face is sharper and most of the bird is visible, though the second image is sweet and shows how dainty the legs are, which I appreciate after looking at swans for so long!

A congregration of swallows

Dearly beloved, 

Plovers may have dibs on this collective noun, but for formal occasions such as today's gathering, Welcome Swallows are welcome to share.

Dreary old parrots..

These are parrots I walked past on the way to the markets this morning. Of course they are anything but dreary, especially the male King Parrot (below).

The old pop song with the line, 'Deeply dippy 'bout the curves you got' often comes to mind when birds look over their shoulder like this, such as today's Crimson Rosella.

 

The same rosella once again, linear, not at all curvy, with pal.

Tweedledum and Tweedledee

At six months, these are of two of the original swanlings, that hatched late August and fledged late Dec/early Jan. They have returned and reclaimed. You can see they are tandem operators, never straying far from the other. Mama still comes by occasionally on a fly-in fly-out basis. 

So elegant in the water

and such chunky moves on land.

Great Cormorant again

Nice weather for ducks

Miserable weather here; windy and cold after much rain. 

Ducks sometimes warm themselves by breathing the warm air close to their bodies, and look very cute while doing it.

A pair of Grey Teal and one PBD

One Pacific Black Duck and the shadow of another

I'm sure you've got the idea by now

And to warm yourself, a tune from Lemon Jelly, aptly titled, 'Nice Weather for Ducks' though this is not their original video. This one is much better!