Two little tackers in the Aussie bird world are the Golden-headed Cisticola and the Superb Fairy-wren.
Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis) – calling
1/2000, f6.3, ISO 800
The Golden-headed Cisticola is about 10cm long and weighs about 10g. They are my nemesis bird. I’ve had them in my sights numerous times but am yet to absolutely nail an image. The bird above was a long way from me and I didn’t realise until loading the images that I’d only zoomed in part way – there’s always something! Anyways, the image made me smile and perhaps I’ll do better next time I’m lucky enough to see one of these lovely little birds.
During the breeding season the head of the male cisticola becomes a bright golden orange and it will often raise its crest when singing. They feed on insects and seeds at ground level, among long grasses and reeds. The word cisticola is pronounced with the emphasis on the second and fourth syllables … hmm, trying to explain how to pronounce the word, without being ambiguous or using linguistic symbols is beyond me. If you’d like to double-check your pronunciation have a listen to the audio on this link: Cisticola
Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) – preening
1/500, f5.6, ISO 3200
Fairy-wrens are an iconic favourite Australian species; their high-pitched trills and chatters are welcome sounds in bushland, parks and gardens. Fairy-wrens weigh the same as cisticolas but are 3-4cm longer, thanks in part to the tail. They are more comfortable foraging out in the open than cisticolas.
I liked the detail of the tiny plants on the fairy-wren’s perch and decided to make the image monochrome so the textures of the perch and the bird’s feathers were emphasised. I particularly like preening images as it’s clear that the bird is not feeling stressed by the photographer, and I like the way this bird’s bill is sweetly nestled among its feathers.
Sadly Superb Fairy-wrens have become less common in suburban areas, with predation by cats being of particular concern. These fairy-wrens generally nest on the ground, building their tiny, domed nests among grasses and reeds. Some local shires and councils have been proactive in regulating for cats to be contained at their owner’s premises, studies have shown that this approach is beneficial for both cats and wildlife, it’s good to have a win-win solution.
Happy birding, Kim
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Great little tackers!
I’m glad you like them Mena 🙂
How very lovely Kim, those little fellow’s are so sweet, your photo’s make them look so very real Thanks for this Hugs Dona
Two sweet little handfuls, I’m glad you like them Dona 🙂
Both amusing gorgeous images Kim. I went to the link to discover the pronunciation and I was totally wrong, saying “sista-cola” whereas it is “cis-ti-cala” to my ears.
Cheers
I’m glad the link was useful. It must be one of the most commonly mispronounced bird species, along with gerygone.
Maybe I have been fortunate with them, but the Golden Headed Cisticola was my first, first at the WTP, Just after I got my key.
You lucky thing Gary! I see them fairly often, I just can’t get the kind of image I’m after. Maybe I should follow you and Nina around there one day 🙂
Hi Kim. A pair of slightly scruffy, partly-blue young male Superbs hopping around as I struggled to remove Bulbous Oat-Grass from roadside bushland, Wandin North. (Tend not to use gelignite as it frightens them….) They got happily stuck into tiny fragments of chicken and boiled egg thrown their way. Love the sense of ‘ownership’ they project!
Gelignite! I like the eclipse plumage of the fairy-wrens. I’m not sure if you were looking lirralirra when I posted an image of a scruffy looking fairy-wren, here’s the link: http://www.lirralirra.com/hurrah-for-the-fairy-wrens/
That pesky nemesis bird! Both gorgeous pictures of lovely little birds 🙂
Your message made me chuckle, I shall now call them pesky 🙂
Delightful images of these precious little birds !
Thank you Catarina!
Wow, wow and wow.
I don’t think I have ever seen a Cisticola, and don’t see the aptly named Superb Fairy-wrens often enough. Thank you.
Cisticolas are feathered sunshine EC, I hope you get to see some soon.
Thanks Kim, love reading your posts. I work at a council and we are always trying to get messages of responsible pet ownership out. Thanks again.
Thank you Jacob! It’s good to know you’re advocating for wildlife at the most important level