Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 11 June 2017

Sunday Selections 331

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme. I have been working in the garden and have been dealing (not always happily) with tradesmen this week so I am (for a change) returning to the birds who visit.  Walking down to the bus stop on my way to Lifeline I noticed a large birds nest which had obviously fallen from a tree.  I have no idea who built the nest but was intrigued to notice that they incorporated some wire into the rim.  If you embiggen you may notice it towards the 'top' of the nest.





It had fallen from one of these trees.


A pair of  king parrots continue to circumvent the crowds on the feeder by demanding individual attention. 





They are still very partial to green apple.






The cockatoos are regular visitors too.  It hasn't been a cold winter, but the birds don't agree with me and are fluffed into their winter woolies.





The corellas (drat them) are less happy to have their photos taken.



They are also fluffed up against the cold though...


126 comments:

  1. Those cockies are certainly fluffed-up.
    As to the nest wire-yes, I've seen it before.Quite a few pick up bits and pieces that we leave behind.Magpies, bower bower birds,crows.But only one that I know incorporated fairy lights!

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    1. dinahmow: Fairy lights? In a nest? I would have loved to see that.

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    2. I'll find the link.It was a pair of sunbirds ,next door.
      https://moreidlethoughts.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/remember-me/

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    3. dinahmow: How could I forget. I loved them when you posted them, and I loved revisiting them.

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  2. Trapping air under feathers is a great way to keep warm I imagine. Beautiful birds and great pictures, EC.

    Birds are pretty creative with their nests.

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    1. Marie Smith: As we snuggle under a doona in the winter months I can attest to the warmth of fluffed up feathers.

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    2. This reminds me to get my feather doonas back on the bed now. One between the sheet and mattress, the other between the top sheet and quilt, so I'm sleeping in a cocoon of feathers.

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    3. River: What a good idea. If it gets colder I am sure that Jazz and himself would appreciate that.

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  3. It is amazing to me that you get all these extraordinary birds in your garden, in your area. I am totally envious. Your photos are exceptional. I do believe you have captured their cheeky personalities ;)

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    1. Denise inVA: Thank you. I am a regular sufferer of world-wide bird envy. And grateful that I can see them on screen if not in the flesh.

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  4. Again I am envious of your feathered visitors! Beautiful birds in beautiful photos!

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: We love them. I suspect some of our neighbours are less happy. They can be very, very noisy.

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  5. Oh, I love that Child. The nests down there must be very large due to the large birds. Can't imagine them letting you hand feed them like that.

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    1. donna baker: I wish I knew whose nest it was. Not a cockatoo or I think a magpie.
      The king parrots virtually insist on being hand fed. It ensures that they get seed, which the other birds will deny them on the feeder. Just the same, we never feed them much and insist that they help themselves to other foods.
      We do feel privileged though. We are privileged. We can hand feed a couple of the cockatoos as well.

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  6. I'm partial to green apples, too. I bought a dozen of them yesterday. I will be grating a few for some apple-cinnamon-ginger muffins I intend making.

    We're receiving some very nice rain here at present. It started early last night, and it's been predicted showers, at least, will stick around for the coming week. No complaints from me...I love the rain.

    And I love your bird photos, EC. :)

    Have yourself a wonderful week...cuddles to Jazz. :)

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    1. Lee: Green apples are a constant on our shopping list. I rarely cook with them, but the birds and I do like their tart juiciness. No rain here. Fog at the moment.
      I hope you too have a wonderful week.

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    2. I rarely cook with them these days; it's quite a while since I've made an apple...there's nothing quite like a home-made apple pie. Maybe...

      But the muffins I'll be making aren't for me, but for a friend who will be hosting a party...and I'm supplying some of the goodies.

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    3. Lee: Apple pie, or apple crumble are both delicious.
      I am not at all surprised to hear that you are baking for a friend. I hope they appreciate it.

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  7. Great bird photos. I bet like all parrots, they eat the sunflower seeds and leave the rest. I haven't seen too many cockatoos fluffed up. The feathers must trap air which is warmed by their bodies.

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    1. Andrew: They do prefer the sunflower seeds. By a long way. The smaller birds (and the ubiquitous pigeons) eat other seeds. We are often colder than you are, and the fluffed up look is common.

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  8. The king parrots are just such stunning birds. Lucky you to be able to feed them from your hand.

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    1. CountryMum: Aren't they beautiful? They don't come every day, but are welcomed when they do arrive.

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  9. That's a very eclectic nest!
    I do envy you being able to handfeed these beautiful birds, EC. The cockies are gorgeous but I do think the king parrots are my favourites.

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    1. Alexia: We are very, very privileged and love having the king parrots visit. My avian favourites, like garden favourites, vary. Often.

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  10. Lucky you, beautiful, beautiful birds!

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  11. Delightful pictures Thank you for sharing this special moment.

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    1. Martin Kloess: My pleasure. Each and every day they visit is special.

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  12. Replies
    1. peppylady (Dora): We think they are amazing too.

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  13. Hi Sue! Your photos are always just amazing, no matter what you're snapping pictures of! And I'm so envious of the gorgeous birds right there...and not just in the zoo. Have you ever tried to sell some of your photos? I think the wildlife ones, definitely, would be wanted by many magazines!

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    1. BECKY: Thank you so much. My photos are essentially 'happy snaps'. I follow some 'real' photographers and am awed and amazed at what they can make the camera do.

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  14. It blows my mind that those beautiful birds eat from your hand! I hope you've had a good week.

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    1. e: It blows our minds too. A mixed week, with some delightful bits to sweeten the mix. How was your week?

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  15. Maybe you should build them all insulated little houses. Would they use them, I wonder. Those king parrots are so beautiful!

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    1. Strayer: I don't think they would use little houses. The pigeons might. And yes, the king parrots are very, very beautiful.

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  16. The parrots all look in good health and great to see them friendly.

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: I think they are all healthy which is lovely. From time to time we see cockatoos suffering from 'beak and feather disease' and it breaks my heart.

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  17. I love your birds! The ones willing to be hand fed are smart. It's a wonder they don't all clue in to the no-waiting buffet. ;)

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    1. River Fairchild: Word is getting out. It is becoming increasingly common that the king parrots AND a cockatoo are demanding to be hand fed. Simultaneously. And birds are about as patient as cats.

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    2. I wonder if you'll have to grow extra arms... with metal plating to protect yourself from the impatient ones. ;)

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    3. River Fairchild: Jazz does more damage to me than the birds do. And I wonder whether metal plating would deter him. Probably not.

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  18. Angel has his winter coat too, he's a ball of fluff with legs.
    I LOVE the Corella with spread wings :)
    And the other birds too of course. It's amazing what birds will use to construct a nest.

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    1. River: Jazz has a thicker coat too. He is a sleek rather than a fluffy boy though. And very badly behaved.

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  19. I wonder how many humans could construct something as well made as that nest using only their mouth and feet? I find it amazing. Just today a bird with a large beakful of nesting materials flew over me as I drove through town. (No wire, though.)

    Your pictures are wonderful. The cockatoos and corollas look for all the world like elderly ladies bundled up in white fur coats, and in the corollas' case, made up with a shade too much eyeshadow :)

    Clever way to string apple pieces - great idea. Have a good week, EC, with (hopefully) no tradesmen problems to handle.

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    1. jenny_o: The corellas wear blue eyeshadow better than any human I have seen though. And I do like the pink accents on the long-beaked corellas.
      I was super impressed at the nest. I assume it is (at least) last season's nest and it has been out in the weather the whole time.
      We have to anchor the apple pieces or either the cockatoos or the currawongs fly off with the whole thing...

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  20. King parrots, cockatoos, corellas .. all so exotics birds, and you have them in your garden or park, wonderful. !!! We see magpies and
    crows usually our gardens and they are black. And also pigeons
    gulls. Of course many many little birds. But no one are not so beautiful as yours.

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    1. orvokki: We have magpies and ravens too. And pigeons. And little brown jobs. And are lucky enough to have the cockatoos, corellas and king parrots. And more.

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  21. Hi EC - lovely seeing the King Parrots, Cockatoos and the Corellas - great shot in the end ... I wonder if the wire/netting in the nest doesn't harm the birds - or get them caught up in it - difficult to know. Here we are worried by the plastic, netting and non-natural bits that are left around and get used or eaten by sundry animals and birds.

    Birds yes - some thugs, like your corella ... others just doing their thing or trying to ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: I hope that the wire doesn't hurt the birds, and it was certainly well woven in. I was amazed at how well the nest survived its fall too.
      Some birds are indeed thugs, and vandals. I suspect all of them are just doing their thing - long may it continue.

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  22. Hello,
    Great pictures of these wonderful birds.
    So cute to see them eat out of human hands.

    Best regards,
    Marco

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    1. Marco Luijken: Thank you. It is a real treat when they do eat from our hands.

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  23. I love king parrots and I don't blame the cockatoos. I'd be all fluffed up in Canberra in winter too.

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    1. Anna: It hasn't been a particularly cold winter here. Yet. Few frosts, and some bright sunny days. Mind you, a lot of people are all fluffed up. I suspect I am in the minority.

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  24. I'm always fascinated by the birds you feed. I can't imagine having those in my yard. Beautiful photos.

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    1. Mason Canyon: I suspect you have birds in your yard I would love to see. And other parts of Australia do too. I am very grateful for the ones who visit though.

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  25. Beautiful birds!!! I have never had a chance to photograph parrots, for instance. What we have in our parks are robins (lots of them!!!), black-winged birds, some cardinals, bluejays... and near the lake, lots of seagulls, of course!!!

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    1. Catarina: I rarely see our robin, and we don't get cardinals or bluejays. There are wonderful birds the world over aren't there?

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  26. It's just amazing how those birds will eat right out of your hand.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: We are amazed (and grateful) too.

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  27. I am so moved and grateful for nature and her creatures. And I know that you are also. That is one of the reasons we are friends. [those mallards I showed the other day have left two eggs! Experts say they sometimes are not ready to bring them to term, and just drop them about!]

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    1. Cloudia: Moved, awed and grateful. Nature is full of marvels isn't she? My mother had a cockatoo who used to lay eggs from the roof. We think they were unfertilized, but the bird had no intention (or interest) in bring them to term.

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  28. I envy your access to hand feeding the king parrots. Stunning birds!

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: They are beautiful birds, and we are so grateful for the gift of their trust.

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  29. Love to see pictures of you feeding the king parrots. Wonderful birds all! :-)

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    1. DJan: Thank you. We are so lucky in the birds which visit. So very lucky.

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  30. Love those parrots, love all the birds. Thank you for these wonderful pictures.

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  31. wow king parrots are really fantastic what a pity I can not feed them. So one day I must visit your garden . Love from Poland

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    1. Gosia k: We love them, and the cockatoos - but they are hard on the garden. Sometimes they are very destructive. Worth it though.

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  32. so close to the beauty of the earth and all it has to give us. sublime moments.

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    1. Linda Starr: So grateful for the bounty that is the natural world...

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  33. Stylish 'hairdo' on the cockatoo :) The crow family are partial to shiny stuff I believe, and incorporate glitter into their homes if they can find it.
    Magnificent birds, magnificent photos, as usual. Thank you for posting them. A wonderful start to my day.

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: The cockatoos raise that 'do' when they are interested, startled and each time they land. And I never tire of watching.
      My father often called me a magpie because of my habit of picking up 'inconsequential shiny trifles'...

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  34. I cannot imagine being able to get up close and personal with such exotic birds on a daily basis. They are gorgeous. Hopefully the wire in the bird's nest will help keep predators away. Especially after reading the sad story Arkansas Patti posted today on the The New Sixty.

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    1. Granny Annie: I suspect the wire was structural/decorative rather than protective. A bird's life is often not easy. I don't think I can cope with any more sadness so I am not going to read Ankansas Patti's sad story.

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  35. I can't imagine the patience it took to get those parrots eating from your hand!

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    1. mshatch: Surprisingly little. I think someone else had done a lot of the hard work. The birds are hungry, and have worked out that we will 'protect' them from other birds.

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  36. The nest is amazing! I love all the photographs and would so like to feed the parrots. I’m feeling very envious but grateful to you for sharing the pics. :-)

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    1. Barbara Fisher: We smile every time they visit. Wide smiles. Very wide smiles. I am so very grateful that the blogosphere takes me places on a daily basis (your recent holiday included) which I would not otherwise see.

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  37. Are the annoying tradesmen doing anything exciting?

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    1. kylie: Pre-emptive practicality. They were installing grab rails in the toilet and a railing to the steps on the back deck. I don't need the grab rails in the toilet yet (usually) but it would be silly to wait until I do. And the railing to the steps is very useful now.

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    2. Excellent! I can't manage steps without a rail and there are so many of them!

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    3. kylie: Such a simple addition, but it has made a huge difference. I have given up using those steps...

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  38. What a beautiful bird nest. It always amazes me what a piece of art such a nest really is. It looks so perfect, and they achieve this with their beaks only, perhaps a little help with their feet. When the birds start to build their nests here, I usually put out short pieces of yarn from my knitting and sometimes they incorporate it in their architecture.

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    1. Carola Bartz: Bird architecture is amazing isn't it? So varied, so efficient and often so beautiful. We let cat hair float in the breeze for the birds too. And hope that the birds do give their nests a soft lining.

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  39. Dear EC, you, like the child who visited me last weekend, still see the wonder of nature all around you. That is, I believe, one of your greatest gifts to your readers. Peace.

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    1. Dee: I hope I can always see and marvel at the wonders around us. I really hope so.

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  40. The colors of these birds is absolutely stunning. They make me wish humans could come decked out like that. Love that creative nest.

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    1. cleemckenzie: They are incredibly stylish aren't they? As so much of nature is. I think of tropical fish, and insects...

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  41. I agree about the colors, especially the parrot's red beak.

    May your week go smoothly, EC.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: Only the male has that stunning red beak. When the birds are young they are mostly green. I can identify the males by their red beaks even before their red heads develop.

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  42. Such beautiful birds. I love them all! Bird watching is one of my favorite pastimes. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a lovely week. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~Jess: We spend/waste a lot of time watching the birds too. And don't consider it wasted time at all.

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  43. So beautiful! great photos and a great blog post!

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    1. SHON: Thank you. I do love the birds and am glad that others enjoy them too.

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  44. Stunning images of the King Parrots and a Cockatoos, well taken EC..

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    1. Bob Bushell: Aren't they beautiful birds? And thank you.

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  45. That birds nest was amazing and oh those King Parrots are just so colourful. You certainly do see some wonderful birds, they are a joy.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Lowcarb team member ~Jan: They are indeed a joy. Each and every day. Despite the havoc they wreak on the garden.

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  46. Wonderful photos. Just love that colorful parrot.

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  47. Is that corella giving us the bird or the moon? :)
    Seeing the pics of the parrots eating out of your hand takes my breath away. So amazing.

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  48. What gorgeous shots of the birds!

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  49. I will never get over your wild birds. I adore parrots and cockatoos and can only imagine living near wild ones.

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    1. Robert Bennett: I did think of you the other morning when we drove past a flock of literally hundreds of cockatoos. (No camera with me of course.)

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  50. --In my next life, I want to come back as a beautiful bird living in your garden, dear! xxx

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    1. My Inner Chick: You would be welcome. I think I want to be a tree in my next life. Home for the birds...

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  51. I'm with, Robert. That would be a good life. And I'll eat out of your hand:)

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    1. Sandra Cox: Hopefully you have better manners than Mrs King who has taken to nipping my fingers when her preferred seed is gone.

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  52. There is a narrative I want to infer about the critters going to all the trouble of gathering metal wire for their nest, and not minding when it's booted out of the tree. I wonder if they're off jacking a car next?

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    1. John Wiswell: I like that thought. And, if has been suggested, the nest was built my our magpies the males already mug pedestrians and cyclists...

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  53. What a treat to see the pretty birds eating out of your hand. And they are dressed for cold it looks like

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    1. Kim Standard: Winter is definitely here, and the birds know it. Unlike some of us (me) their clothing always fits. It is a treat to feed the kings - for them and for me.

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  54. I always marvel at these exotic uncaged birds, flying free, as they should.

    That's so neat that the birds used whatever they could find. So sorry their nest fell out.

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    1. Lynn: We are so grateful for our avian visitors. The nest which fell was last years, and no fledglings were made homeless.

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  55. Aw, beautiful feathered friends, albeit noisy ones I suspect. I hope your fluey feeling is easing dearie X

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    1. All Consuming: Very noisy ones - or at least the white ones. And there is a cockatoo in disgrace for pulling the tail feathers (hard) of Mrs King because she was being fed and it wasn't. Flu continues. This too will pass.

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  56. How amazing to be surrounded with color and "noise".

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