This looks like a cool spot.
I agree.
So do I!
If I use my tail to flick ...
I might lose balance and have to use my wings instead.
1 year ago
Sunday, 9 March 2008
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
This looks like a cool spot. I agree. So do I! If I use my tail to flick ... I might lose balance and have to use my wings instead.
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18 comments:
Often terrestrial or in grasses, these litle guys are enjoying what's left of the hot season. Beautiful day today - hope you're having great weekends!
think this is the first time i have seen one!
I'll bet you have seen them but so fast just a brown blur Simon :) They form flocks of several hundred and eat seeds from stalks, nesting in clumps about two meters off the ground. I've only noticed them in waterfalls because their colour and markings contrast and they stay long enough to note - this time photograph!
ah ha! yes perhaps I have. I put them in the "brown Flitty" thing group :o)
I read it's been a cool summer in Sydney and the cafes did not make a lot of money. These little guys look like they love the cool weather.
They did look like "brown flitty" things apart from the stills taken on camera Simon! I often don't know what has been photographed until reviewing still shots later - just snap away ;)
Heehee, depends what 'cool' means to some Ces. It has been cooler with temperatures around 30 instead of 40 degree Celsius. However, these Mannikins prefer warmer temperatures and more common at top of Australia. They were introduced to New Caledonia and Tahiti where they thrive in the warmer climates :)
Those birdies are strange. The pictures almost look like the negatives.
Little finchy things-so cute!
Before I moved to this side of the world I obviously took birds for granted but I am continually fascinated by all of the new species I am coming across. Do you know what sort of noise they make Anony?
You're right Red Mojo! Colour negatives with the same shade of chestnut!
Heehee, they are tiny at an average of 10cm long Debra Kay :)
These littlies make what is described as a bell like tinkling Mountaingirl. They have a high, clear bell like "teet" amalgamating into a steady tinkling as a flock takes off! It's very difficult describing sounds ... :)
I thought you used your wings all the time - huh!
Do these cuties have blue beaks? because it kinda looks like it.
What a great spot these little guys/gals found! If we could just live one day like birds and appreciate each moment. Around here we call "flitty brown jobs" by the nickname LBJ (little brown jobs). :)
Charlotte spotted our first robins today! Sure sign of spring!
I don't use my wings when skipping and squashing grass fairies Joy Eliz! The Mannikins appear to have their wings by their sides but you're right, how could they flit otherwise. They have conical shaped blue-grey beaks and being wet makes them glow :)
Melissa I will try to remember "LBJ" but find it difficult remembering or saying abbreviations of things. I even call people by their full names which is less common in Australia. Eg David instead of Davo, Melissa instead of Mel. Heehee
They also eat winged termites at the beginning of breeding season but aren't fully classified as 'small insect eating birds'. I've tagged them as such because don't have a category for them in the sidebar...
They actually reminded me of the small birds in your garden Onedia!
You never cease to amaze me with the variety of birdies in your garden Anon!
Lovely colours these birds have too :-D
Miladysa, these birdies and waterfall aren't in my garden but the garden of Sydney HAHA. I changed the header this week to "Birds from the Backyard AND Sydney, Australia". It gets boring just photographing immediate backyard birds when they are there every day all day long, so venture beyond the fenceline... :)
With all that water, those are certainly Mannikin-piss... };-}
NO MerlinPrincesse!
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