I’ve mentioned the crazy amount of activity at my birdbaths, the number of species is quite remarkable. Recently it has included eight species of honeyeater, two species of pardalote, three species of thornbill, scrubwrens, fairywrens, two species of fantail, two species of robin, two species of whistler, Willie Wagtail, rosellas, magpies, treecreeper, shrike-thrush, Magpie-lark, Silvereyes, finches and the occasional blackbird, Spotted Dove, currawong and raven, while the ducks and White-faced Herons forage nearby.
1/1000, f/4.0, ISO 2000
I see some pretty hilarious sights as I watch from the window of my study, and sometimes I manage to capture a photograph that makes me smile. This female Superb Fairywren was calling so loudly as she perched at the edge of the shallow, pedestal birdbath. The fuzzy green blob in the foreground is a Silvereye’s head and the tail to the left belongs to another fairywren. Also in the bath were more Silvereyes and some Red-browed Finches. The busy-ness of the bath really makes me wonder what the fairywren was saying!
1/1250, f/4.0, ISO 2000
It was pretty amazing to capture such a close-up shot of this Silvereye as it ruffled its feathers while still sitting in the water. There are a few tiny drops of water on its head, with the largest droplet just behind its eye. I really like the look of the tousled green, grey, russet, black and white feathers. This bird’s bill is partly open too, they were making a lot of noise between them.
1/1000, f/4.0, ISO 2000
The Silvereye hopped onto a nearby branch to shake its feathers free of water. It’s interesting how quickly they can dry themselves, just a few quick shakes and their feathers are ready for flight.
1/500, f/4.0, ISO 1600
Birds are vulnerable while bathing as they need to shake their feathers dry before they can fly. Add that to the racket they were making as they bathed and it’s hardly surprising that this raptor arrived on the scene. I saw it swoop majestically, eerily, through the trees. For their size they are incredibly agile in flight. Some alarm calls cut through the twitterings, the bathers dived for cover, and the garden was silent.
When I first saw this raptor I thought it was a Collared Sparrowhawk but on closer inspection I think it’s a Brown Goshawk. They are so similar. I looked for the glare vs the stare, for the long second toe and the relationship of the first knuckles, I checked for the shape of its tail while perched and the thinness of its legs. And I was still a bit stuck. Finally I looked closely at the cere and noticed that the blue-grey colour does not extend over the bill. So I think I’m right but it’s a close call for me with this one as I think it’s staring, its legs look skinny and its second toe looks longer than a goshawk’s second toe.
In the past I’ve seen a goshawk and a sparrowhawk dissecting Eastern Yellow Robins. I’ve seen a goshawk or sparrowhawk (it was flying too quickly) take an Eastern Spinebill, and I’ve seen a goshawk raid a honeyeater’s nest. But this time the lurking danger had to go elsewhere for its dinner.
Happy birding, Kim
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Oh my, they are so pretty. There is no other species that enjoys bathing as much as birds do.
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I think you’re right Melody, it gets crazily busy in there! Could you put the best way to find your post when searching, rather than an actual link? Thank you
Beautiful pics Kim I particularly liked the one of the Silvereye fluffing out and shaking its feathers following its bath. Such lovely contrast between the buff and white on its breast and then the encircling grey collar. Fabulous! Truly changeable down here in Tassie, one minute sunshine, the next showers with a cool wind keeping it all unsettled. About to attempt a walk on the beach. Wishing you well and a happy long weekend break .
Warm regards,
Alison.
I love that shot too Alison, it’s like a fluffy little ball. We’ve had so much cold weather here too, and more today. I hope you had a beaut walk on the beach, Kim
Birds enjoy their baths like no other species I can think of don’t they? And yes, they need to be able to take flight in a millisecond. I am torn, but glad that the raptor had to wait on this occasion.
Keep crossing your fingers for me. Another health challenge this week.
They really do revel in their baths, with different styles too. Some just sit there while others thrash about joyously. I was glad the raptor had to wait this time too, Sue. I know it’s nature but I don’t enjoy seeing birds eating birds. I am so sorry (sorry isn’t a strong enough word for how I’m feeling) that you are facing another health challenge. My fingers are firmly crossed for you.
Wow! You have a fantastic variety of birds in your garden. How very lucky you are, Kim.
I’ve never seen either of the two raptor species but just looking at the Morecombe guide I carry with me on my phone, and it appears that the Collared Sparrowhawk is only 29-39cm whereas the Brown Goshawk is 40-50cm although it may be hard to tell with a juvenile as this one appears to be. The Goshawk apparently takes more of its prey from the ground than the Sparrowhawk too.
Birds can really be hard to ID sometimes, can’t they?
A fabulous post with brilliant photos, Kim. Thanks!
I am incredibly lucky with the birds here, Kim. Many of them disappeared for a while so it’s extra special that they are returning. The raptor was too far away for me to accurately judge its size, and I think I’d still be confused as a female sparrowhawk is about the same size as a male goshawk. Someone will know for sure, but someone else will probably disagree with them!