Scarlet-chested Parrot

A little while ago, there was a report of a female Scarlet-chested Parrot that had been seen at the local Alice Springs Desert Park. This was a wild bird, not in an enclosure. I managed to get myself over to the Park, which is only a short distance, and look for the bird. I did find it fairly quickly which was fortunate.
I am fairly sure this was my second sighting of this parrot, the first was during a Twitchathon with my sons 6 or so years ago, but as more than one of the Team had to see the bird for it to be counted, the opportunity was missed and I couldn't say 100% that it was a Scarlet-chested Parrot. So the following are my only photos of a wild SCP.

Scarlet-chested Parrot

Wedge-tailed Eagle, a bit relaxed on a hot afternoon near Alice Springs

The title says it all really, I hope you enjoy the photos.

Wedge-tailed Eagle

A (loving?) couple of Zebra Finches

I stumbled across a puddle (there's a surprise to regular readers) in the middle of a track recently. Apart from a few other species (Diamond Doves, Crested Pigeons, Spiny-cheeked and Singing Honeyeaters, Black-faced Woodswallows etc), the main attraction were a couple of Zebra Finches, in amongst a few dozen more. This pair seemed to have a tiff, and then a make-up bath together. Very cute.

Zebra Finch

Wedge-tailed Eagles - the Royal Family of the birding world in the Centre

Wedge-tailed Eagles are so majestic. As the sun starts baking the earth in Central Australia, the roadkill becomes more prevalent, and so do the sightings of these magnificent birds.

Here are a few recent Wedge-tailed Eagle photos.

Latest update on the Black-breasted Buzzards in the Lower Todd River

The chick has definitely changed from the last time I saw it about a week ago. Much bigger, and lots more of the deep rufous colouring on the back of its head. The beak is quite prominent, and it is starting to look more like an adult than a fluffy white chick now.

There are still other birds of prey hanging around, presumably potential nest robbers as the parents are still in constant attendance. A Little Eagle was almost taunting the female adult out of the nest at one point, flying very close by and calling. I haven't noticed such brazen behaviour before from the Little Eagle. Once the male had returned, the Little Eagle was quickly flown beyond the normal perimeter by the female.

The male gave a number of delightful photo opportunities. Eventually when the chick fledges I will be happy for the Buzzards, but a little sad that until they, or another pair come back to raise another chick or two, these moments I am able to capture won't be available as easily as they are now.

Unfortunately the wind was up and the videos taken are very wind-blown, both with noise and camera shake, so I won't be posting any videos from this recent encounter. Hopefully I'll be able to get some wind-free videos this coming weekend.

Black-breasted Buzzard

Male landing, female on nest

Female and chick

Male ruffled feathers

Female landing on perch next to nest

Female on perch about 30 metres south of nest

Male in flight

Male on nest with moon behind

Nyirripi - land of Banded Whitefaces, Falcons, Hawks and Buzzards, and weather phenomenons

Finally back to visiting remote Communities. Nyirripi was the destination and my love of this area hasn't waned after another spectacular birding display.

With the dryness of the surrounding area, the Poo Ponds was the place packed with action. 1000+ Zebra Finches make enough noise and movement to excite any bird of prey. Throw in a few Sandpipers and a small flock of Crested Pigeons, and mayhem is bound to follow. It did.

Even after looking at old photos, current photos, and the ones I took, I still can't work out if the bird of prey below is a Collared Sparrowhawk (had the elongated middle toe and a shortened call compared to the Goshawks I've been watching recently) or a Brown Goshawk - rounded tail and beetle brow. Regardless, it was pretty brutal with the unfortunate Sharp-tailed Sandpiper:

The Black Falcon and Peregrine Falcon preferred the Zebra Finches, but I also watched as the Peregrine took out a Crested Pigeon

This Black-breasted Buzzard landed across and up the road from me before being mobbed by Yellow-throated Miners then to my delight flew back towards me

 By far the highlight was a close-up experience with a Banded Whiteface, which was followed later in the day at a different location with another 6, although not quite as close

The first morning moon was spectacular just before it set. I turned around to be confronted by an equally stunning sunrise

The Tanami Road is possibly going to have bitumen from Alice Springs all the way to Halls Creek. That would be awesome but I suspect only an act of God may make this happen for the price they are quoting ($680 million)

And finally, couldn't not have the Zebra Finches in a post about Nyirripi, and I've included yet another example of the strange discolouration quite a few of them have