A bird with attitude

You should always have a lookout.

Thats what this Butcher Bird was up to while the scene was unfolding below.

Its mate was sitting with a young bird, on the dogs lead, feeding from the dog bowl.

What is amazing is that the dog was blissfully unaware of the happenings not more that three metres from it.

They even stripped the bone that was left from the Christmas roast.

Butcher Birds are very inquisitive and friendly, one of the adult pair being a bird that was first introduced to us when it was a chick itself.

We have now had four generations of birds introduce their young to us as a good spot for a quick feed.

My cheeky friend

It only takes a little kindness to make a friend.

Sometimes that friend can take things for granted.

Its always ok when your somewhat cheeky friend is a butcher Bird.

While I'm not into feeding masses of birds - its not good practice, for it provides an unstable food source that, if discontinued, can cause all sorts of problems - I make exception for this guy.

The Butcher Bird is a member of the Kingfisher family and will readily make itself part of your family, given enough encouragement which, by the way, is very little.

After returning from fishing with my hard earned catch, this guy promptly tried to snatch a fish more than twice his size as I was cleaning them.

The photo below shows him demonstrating that he can indeed catch his own meal. 

A point he made when I was a little slow in providing food for him.

You will notice the colouration of yellows and blues under his wings and on his body.

This is not readily evident, though can be seen with correct lighting (and luck).

Yes, a not exactly patient, though worthwhile, friend to make..

More Avians.....big and small

As previously mentioned there are a pair of Sea Eagles in my area.
Locals have told me that a nest is close handy, and the pair regularly do trips to and from the ocean, fixing those sharp eyes on all...including the lens of my camera.






I believe I photographed a product of that nesting the other day...pictured below.




I was able to get the following shots of this bird also....




Seems the young bird was collecting material for a nest...as we are well into nesting season now.
Since it is not yet mature I wondered if it was helping with the parents nest building....or starting its own.
Perhaps a little learning time is needed to build such a large construction successfully .

More info on these amazing birds can be found here

One a much smaller scale I was also able to photograph this little guy below.....



This Butcher bird was happy to have his photo taken and I have spotted at least three in the area.