Lorikeets and flycatchers and mynas. . .oh my!

I mentioned this creature before. . . the Myna bird. Turns out, they're from India, and are considered an invasive species in Australia. Like the English Sparrow, though, what a success. And I love hearing her variety and enthusiasm of song. I wake up to hearing her, or one of the many dove/pigeon species every morning. Sweet.

John and I have taken to walking in the evenings. The weather has been beautiful, and we have good light until 8:30p, so it's been a great way to explore. . . especially the Royal Park and it's environs. One evening this past week, we finally got a good look at the very colorful parrot-like birds that we have only gotten flashes of in the dimming light.They are Rainbow Lorikeets, and they absolutely love the Red gum tree (a Eucalypt) fruit that is ubiquitous here. We saw a flock of maybe a dozen, but they were so busy eating, that we were able to watch them for quite some time. By the way, sorry I'm not using my own photographs. Bird photography not a strength of mine!

Both of these birds have this Very Familiar feeling about them. The myna is so robin-like in size, in how it hops, how it cocks it's head, how it so easily adapts to the urban setting. And I think their coloration is lovely, in an understated way. I was a little sad to hear that they're considered pests here. Then again, I guess humans could be considered pests as well. Smile.

The lorikeet looks like a parakeet (called a "Budgie" here) on steroids. For any of you who have ever lived with a parakeet, they have a funny way of hopping side-wise on a perch. And a sweet cocking of the head, and an almost murmuring kind of talking, in addition to various screeches and chatters. But these guys are about 2 1/2 times the size of a parakeet. We've also been able to see some Splendid Fairy-wrens over in pond area that has been developed in the park as an artificial wetland. Judging by the insects and concomitant birds, it's a big success as a wetland. We also saw a very acrobatic little guy that was black, white and gray (a little bigger than a wren) that was catching bugs on the wing. "Flycatcher" came to mind, and indeed I think it was either the Satin or the Leaden Flycatcher. Both are in this range, and like wetlands.

This is the Satin flycatcher, and below is the Leaded flycatcher. Very Very sweet.

There are, of course a lot of bigger birds. I already talked about the Australian White Ibis, but there is also a variation on the Magpie, the Australian Magpie, and a slightly smaller black-and-white bird (but still bigger than a robin) called the Butcher bird. So much life in a very densely populated city! It really is amazing. When we walk on the paths in the Royal Park, there are always warnings to either Not disturb the skinks (!), or to beware of snakes. Of course, John posted a sign on his blog that said "Beware of Cars", which is one of those things that just sounds hilarious to the American ear, but that sign is posted wherever cars might be sneaking out of alleys.

I'll close with an image of the Splendid Fairy Wren. They truly are, well, splendid! Even though they are small (think sparrow sized, but with a more impressive tail), their color makes them easy to spot.

If anything, they're even more splendid in person. . .the light reflects off their feathers in the dimming light making them look iridescent. . .