‘Twas Mulga Parrot from Hattah that caught the barrelling craze, he turned away the good old dam that served him many days, he dressed himself in feathers bright, resplendent to be seen, and smiled towards my camera, looking like a dream.
Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius) – male
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 1000, focal length 519mm
Canon 5DsR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
Well that little ditty was completely unplanned and will only make sense to Aussies familiar with Banjo Paterson’s beaut poem, Mulga Bill’s Bicycle. I used to make up impromptu ditties for my girls and for students in my class, I don’t think I could do as many in a row as I used to!
Mulga Parrots are a medium sized parrot with a stunning range of colours, including lots of emerald green, with a bright yellow band across their foreheads and a yellow shoulder patch. They have a red patch on their crowns, which can just been seen in this image, and a red rump which is hidden beneath the beautiful blues of their wing feathers. Their lower tummies and thighs are yellow with reddish feathers than apparently become redder as the bird ages (according to The Australian Bird Guide).
I have driven past the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park many more times than any birder should, but it kept calling me and I finally had the chance to visit a couple of weeks ago. My patient, non-photographer, birding friend is a brilliant navigator and we found some beautiful places to pause.
I love these parrots and think they could be my favourites, which is a tall order with so many stunning parrots to choose between. Now I’m wondering about other birders favourite parrots, hmmm…
Happy birding
Kim
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Hi Kim,
Ooohhhh, delightful ! I love parrots ! Very great image and wonderful colors
Hi Nath, thank you. The colours really are magnifique
Beautiful quiet birds- in pairs or 4s. When you were there, I hope you remembered to look for the Regent Parrots in that area- flying between the River redgums and the Mallee morning and night. I would love to see some good photos of those elegant parrots. My father and his colleagues in Mid-Murray Field Naturalists called them “Mallee Smokers” – as they are a smokey bright ir dull yellow with orange bills and orange on their wings, and long black wing and tail feathers.
I didn’t see the Regent Parrots this time, but I did a while ago and posted some photographs – http://www.lirralirra.com/regent-parrots
And I didn’t know that nickname, it’s a beauty!
Red-rumps for me as we have dozens around us at most times, and when native grasses plus weedy wild barley and oats get into seed , I sometimes see up to a hundred feeding in our grassy woodland area at home. They’re a common enough bird and a bit under appreciated but my close observation of them for 25 years or more has made them my fave .
That would be amazing to see such huge groups of red-rumps! I come across small groups sometimes, bobbing about, half-hidden in the grasses. They are beautiful to watch, and I love their colouring too.
Love your recreation of Mulga Bill’s bicycle.
And this stunner.
I don’t think I have a favourite parrot. I love them all.
Thank you EC, and see, and photograph, heaps of beautiful parrots
Ha ha. Yes they are my faves!
Lovely coincidence!
We loved your poems too. I immediately thought of Mulga Bill’s Bicycle when I saw the name of these parrots. They really are glorious! I’ve always had a soft spot for crimson rosellas as their colours are so beautiful.
What a lovely comment Alyssa, the text has been edited accordingly. I think crimsons are gorgeous too, and quite underrated