Major Mitchell or Pink Cockatoos in the Backyard

I have had a few regular visitors this week to the back yard. Major Mitchell or Pink Cockatoos. They are quite gregarious and have seemingly become used to me sitting out on the back verandah while they are there. this has presented me with a few really enjoyable photo sessions. Hope you enjoy.

Major Mitchell Cockatoo

Some "different" Major Mitchell or Pink Cockatoos

The Major Mitchell or Pink Cockatoos at Ouyen are slightly different to the ones I see around Alice Springs. The ones from further south have the yellow in their crest, whereas the majority of those I see in the Northern Territory don't.

It is pretty special to have these birds just across the road in Ouyen. I think I counted 10 of them at one point. It was good to hear their calls every morning and evening. So the photo opportunities are easier than they usually are in the NT.

Major Mitchell Cockatoos

Some recent photos

Apologies for the lack of recent posts. Sometimes life gets in the way. A few lovely events in my personal life, and a few changes in my working life have reduced the bird-watching and photography recently.

But I have managed to get out into the central australian landscapes a few times and run into a few birds along the way. Here is a small sample:

Painted Finches at Ellery Creek, west of Alice Springs

Major Mitchell Cockatoo, Namatjira Drive, west of Alice Springs

Rainbow Bee-eater near home in Alice Springs

And a Peregrine Falcon

A few photos of Major Mitchell Cockatoos

I came across three Major Mitchell Cockatoos near Alice Springs recently. Their unmistakable squawk gave their position on the power lines away. Their squawks continued after I arrived at the spot, and they were behaving like three children, just mucking around, Eventually they all flew off, but managed to capture some of the silly moments and in flight shots.

 Major Mitchell Cockatoo

10 Beautiful Major Mitchell Cockatoos in the back yard

After a rather ordinary day at work, the noise and colour that greeted me in the backyard this afternoon more than made up for it. 10 Major Mitchell Cockatoos spent about 3 hours in my backyard, lazily canoodling, grooming and eating. The photo opportunities for close-up photography were amazing. Below is a sample of some of the photos. For me it will be a memorable Remembrance Day

Major Mitchell Cockatoos