Cockatiels, Cockatiels, Cockatiels .. they're everywhere, they're everywhere,. just a few, hundred that is, oh and I took some photos

Was driving into the sun along Larapinta Drive, about 13 kms west of Simpsons Gap, when I saw a large flock rise above the trees. At first I thought it must have been Masked Woodswallows as the sorts of numbers fitted their profile. As I go closer, I noticed other varieties as well, as well as a few birds of prey. Naturally, as you do, I slowed and stopped, grabbed the camera andwent to check it out. The noise was incredible. Cockatiels everywhere, as well as Budgerigars, Zebra Finches, honeyeaters, and watching all from above was a quiet Whistling Kite, sitting on its nest. Next moment, the smaller birds scatter to every direction and the Cockatiels flee to the sky. I watch as an Australian Hobby zooms through the air, just above the ground, failing this time in an attempt to score a meal. The birds slowly return to the same spot and I notice there is a small hollow in the creek bed and there is some water. Should have known really, anywhere around at the moment where water is available is a magnet for the seed eaters and predators alike. I stayed for only about 10 minutes but managed a few photos.

Cockatiels

Budgerigars in the morning at Docker River

Decided to head out early this morning and checked out the local poo ponds. Always a pleasure to go to such exotic locations for bird watching! Was very happy small flocks of budgies became bigger ones and then a largish one, probably around 200, not the thousands of a few years ago but still lovely to watch and hear a flock of wild budgerigars.

Budgerigars

 

Morning Mulga Parrots and Cockatiels

Left Alice Springs this morning for my final week at Titjikala. The birds were certainly more active in the cooler morning air as driving back to Alice Springs in the early afternoon on Friday was almost completely devoid of bird activity.

The Mulga Parrots were prominent along much of the Maryvale Road. Here are some photos of one of the males:

There has been a largish group, around 30-40, of Cockatiels soon after the road turns from bitumen to dirt as you are heading out of town. I have seen them each time I have driven down to Titjikala over the past 3 weeks. This morning the group seemed even a bit bigger than previous occasions. The group would feed on one side of the road, and then flutter across to the other side. Here are some shots of the Cockatiels:

I also saw Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, Major Mitchell Cockatoos, Galahs, Pied Butcherbirds, Willie Wagtails, Black-faced Woodswallows and Zebra Finches this morning. Interestingly, I didn't see a single Budgerigar.

100s of Cockatiels - photos and videos

As well as the excitement of the Budgerigars in their thousands (see that blog post here ), the Cockatiels had amassed in numbers I hadn't seen before, although there had been reports of similar numbers from Alice springs recently. The Cockatiels are a lot easier to see than the Budgerigars when perched, and although flighty, they tended to hang around the waterhole nearby and in full view. I did see a number of Birds of Prey in the same area, but the Cockatiels seemed to not be a target while I was watching.
They are still a fairly noisy bird, and I was amazed at just how many could fit onto one branch. The photos are mainly of one particular tree, but there were trees with just as many Cockatiels up and down the waterhole with just as many. I hope you enjoy the photos and the videos.

Cockatiels drinking, flying, about to perch and perched.

Videos of Cockatiels coming to drink, close up of landing, and flying around and landing

Enjoy your Bird-watching!

1000s & 1000s of Budgies - photos and videos

I had a truly amazing experience recently where I saw Budgies darken the sky with numbers, then come down to drink, get chased by Birds of Prey, and fill the area with a cacophony of noise. I don't know how many there were in total, but many many thousands, and the groups were in hundreds and thousands. They started arriving about 30 minutes after the sun rose, and continually arrived, in small and large flocks for the next couple of hours. Before they had finished arriving, some were way too thirsty and started.
It was interesting to watch their behaviour. They would circle above the water, and then fly off into the surrounding trees. At one point I wondered if I had the right spot as they seemed to be flocking in trees beyond my reach, but eventually they came and put on a display I will always remember. Unfortunately the photos and videos can't relay the enormity of the event, but you can get a fair idea. I hope you enjoy.

Photos of Budgerigars in flight and drinking:

Videos of Budgies in Flight and Drinking

Enjoy your Bird-watching!

Forget the Joshua Tree and the Tree of Knowledge, this is the Budgie Tree!

Saw this sight about 30 kms south of Alice on the Stuart Highway. Flock was well into the thousands. Here is a small sample of shots.

The Budgie Tree

and this is part of the flock:

Enjoy your Bird-watching!

Budgies, Budgies everywhere

I saw this flock of Budgerigars late last week while driving along the Buntine Highway at the Wave Hill Station turnoff. Wave Hill has a special significance in Australian History. Here is a link to a short piece that explains what happened:

 Wave Hill story.

I'd stopped at the turnoff to the Station because I couldn't help but notice the large flock zooming over the grasses, trees and road:

I estimated in the end that there were between 400 and 500 in total around the area. They were mainly split up into groups of up to 50 with a few larger groups. They looked spectacular in the afternoon light. The following is a series of photos from that afternoon:

It was actually hard to get a Budgerigar by itself in the photo

Budgies being leaves on a tree

"Incoming" budgies

"Drop-in" Budgie

 "Flocks"

On the way back past the same spot a few days later I took this shot of one of three flocks flying around of similar size. To see this many budgies all together is truly fantastic (and I still couldn't fit them all in the frame):

Happy Birding!