Bossy Cocky (2)
I have been a little bird-obsessed lately… wedgetail eagles, pelicans and now… cockatoos and galahs.
These two species (actually both are part of the cockatoo family – thanks Dr Google!) are NOT always the most POPULAR birds around here – they scavenge grain at every opportunity. Which is quite annoying when it’s purchased for the cattle and not for fattening the feathered visitors!
The round bales of hay we have in our shed currently has some grain in it, which is drawing dozens and dozens of these two species of birds to our yards.
In effect, our hay feeders are like giant bird feeders.
If the bulls want their hay, they need to GET INTO IT before all the ‘good stuff’ is harvested by Cocky and the Galahs. (A good name for a country rock band perhaps?)
I wish I was as good (and patient) at bird photos as my friend Kate. Apparently you have to stay STILL for a length of time for those kind of pics?
The following series were taken the following day, in the late afternoon sunshine. I liked this little series showing just WHO the boss cocky is between the two species. (Pun totally intended.)
And because I have had two poetry accompaniments with the previous two blog posts, I am making it a trifecta.
Skirmishers, their line extending,
Shout the joyful news;
Down they drop like snow descending,
Clouds of cockatoos.
– except from ‘White Cockatoos’ by AB (Banjo) Paterson
Have a great weekend everyone!
😉
BB
PS For those following the story of our sick cow on Facebook, I promise to blog it soon here. As you may know, I am superstitious after Bay Lulic, so bear with me. Thanks for all the prayers…
5 Comments
Lynda M O
Fingers crossed for the cow-whose story I know naught of…
Colin (HB)
Yep ditto to the comment of Linda M O.
What is the problem????
Ah cockatoos and galahs en masse!
The noise must be deafening with the squarks! Doesn’t seem to worry the resting cattle, does it?
I see a problem arising – what photos to include in the 2013 calendar.
One of these must be on the list!
Cheers
Colin ( “WETSVILLE”, the new Qld capital)
Andrew
Such is the internet. Today I learnt from an American blog that galahs can also be called rose breasted cockatoos.
Andrew´s last blog post ..This week’s footy team
Leenie
It’s always weird to see something we consider exotic like a cockatoo flying wild like a crow or a sparrow. It’s like going to the tropics and finding the wild plants growing like weeds are the same ones you’ve been coddling and caring for at home as house plants.
Leenie´s last blog post ..RED HAIR ALERT
Bush Babe
I know the feeling Leenie – cockatoos and galahs can be pets here too (not HERE here – I don’t do caged birds!) but these lot definitely aren’t the ‘Hello Cocky’ type! Very squarky!