… for a myriad of native wildlife.
A pair of Sacred Kingfishers is currently occupying this fine hollow in a veteran River Red-gum. The lack of ‘whitewash’ around the entrance indicates that the eggs are yet to hatch, or at least they may have just done so. As the nestlings grow the adults perch at the entrance to deliver food and leave a tell-tale trail of excreta below the opening.
As I sat, entranced by the kingfishers, a small bird caught my eye as it fluttered, like a large moth, to perch beside another hollow above me. It was an Australian Owlet-nightjar (often confusingly referred to as the moth-owl … it is neither a moth or an owl!). It must have been sitting quietly nearby observing me before deciding to decamp to its roosting hollow for the day.
I was intrigued to notice the projections at the end of the rictal bristles around the face of of the owlet. I’ve never noticed these before but suspect they are a type of filoplume. The bristles are thought to aid the nocturnal navigation of the owlet as it hunts for insects in its favoured habitats – woodlands and forest. The plume-like projections looked very delicate and perhaps they only persist for a short time on the newly replaced bristles?
Australian Owlet-nightjar, Loddon River @ Newstead, 30th December 2020
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Sacred Kingfisher @ nest site in River Red-gum
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We have a pair of Sacreds whose young have hatched about two weeks.
It is amusing to watch them back up to the edge of the hole and then al long stream is squirted out.
Dear David – thanks for the comment … of course, the whitewash is as much a product of the nestlings as it is of the parents! All the best for 2021. Cheers, Geoff
Love your work, keep it up.
Wonderful photos again Geoff. Enjoy your frequent posts.