[Seb11]

Hi,
I have these 2 birds (3 photos of each) in my back yard and have been feed ing them occasionally for months.
I haven't been able to find them in my bird book.
They are always together and sing the same tune so I am assuming they are probably a male and female of the same species.
Any info appreciated.
Thanks.
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...S/birds114.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...S/birds065.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...S/birds060.jpg

and the other one:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...S/birds146.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...S/birds141.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...S/birds125.jpg

[Larry Wheatland]

Hi Seb, and welcome to Birdforum. Your birds are Grey Butcherbirds. I wish I had some in my garden!

EDIT: Actually, did you mean Nowra NSW or Nowra QLD?

[Seb11]

Cool, thanks Larry.
I thought butcher birds were an introduced pest species we grew up with, obviously not!
You are definitely correct, unusual that I didn't see any prior to these 2.

Thanks again.

Nowra, NSW

[Greg McKay]

Larry and Seb.
They are great for their song in the backyard. But if I had any other birds breeding in the yard i would find them most unwelcome. Their want for other baby birds as a food source paints a darker picture of them.

[chowchilla]

Originally Posted by Seb11

Cool, thanks Larry.
I thought butcher birds were an introduced pest species we grew up with, obviously not!
You are definitely correct, unusual that I didn't see any prior to these 2.

Thanks again.

Nowra, NSW

I had a conversation with an Aussie recently who was 100% convinced that Butcherbirds and Magpies were both introduced from Europe! He was not to be dissuaded...

[Seb11]

Thanks for all the replies.
Thanks Greg, I will keep an eye out for them with the other birds in my yard.

Here is a folder with some other birds I have in my yard, I'm extremely lucky to have such a diverse range, I have taken it for granted up until recently.

These are some Kookaburra's, Black Cockatoo's, King Parrots, Galah's, Magpies and Lorikeets.

We also get heaps of Rosella's and the occasional Sulphur Crested Cockatoo and Wedged Tail Eagle.

http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/CV8005/BIRDS/

[chowchilla]

Originally Posted by Seb11

Thanks for all the replies.
Thanks Greg, I will keep an eye out for them with the other birds in my yard.

Here is a folder with some other birds I have in my yard, I'm extremely lucky to have such a diverse range, I have taken it for granted up until recently.

These are some Kookaburra's, Black Cockatoo's, King Parrots, Galah's, Magpies and Lorikeets.

We also get heaps of Rosella's and the occasional Sulphur Crested Cockatoo and Wedged Tail Eagle.

http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/CV8005/BIRDS/

Out of curiosity, what do you feed your Lorikeets? I can't find nectar feeders anywhere either for them or the Honeyeaters.

[Seb11]

Originally Posted by chowchilla

Out of curiosity, what do you feed your Lorikeets? I can't find nectar feeders anywhere either for them or the Honeyeaters.

I just buy wild bird mix and additional sunflower seeds and mix it together.
I am not sure which seeds are being eaten by the Lorikeets but there is something in there that they like.

[chowchilla]

Originally Posted by Seb11

I just buy wild bird mix and additional sunflower seeds and mix it together.
I am not sure which seeds are being eaten by the Lorikeets but there is something in there that they like.

So a seed mix should bring them in? Thanks I'll try that.

[Seb11]

Yeah this is the one I buy: Wild Bird
Wheat, Sorghum, Black Sunflower, Oats, Corn, Safflower, Layer Pellets and Millet seeds.

[Dimitris]

Lorikeets love sunflower seed

Also they will happily munch on Watermelon, Apple and pear cores and bread... They will even raid you for it, while your in your kitchen and have the window open... also they will try bacon and cheese if you put some out for Maggies and Kookas.

[chowchilla]

Originally Posted by Dimitris

Lorikeets love sunflower seed

Also they will happily much on Watermelon, Apple and pear cores and bread... They will even raid you for it, while your in your kitchen and have the window open... also they will try bacon and cheese if you put some out for Maggies and Kookas.

I know from experience that if I put out fruit I get Figbirds, Metallic Starlings, Yellow Orioles and Helmeted Friarbirds, but I'd like to get Lorikeets and Fig Parrots and from a separate nectar feeder, smaller Honeys.

[Dimitris]

Originally Posted by chowchilla

I know from experience that if I put out fruit I get Figbirds, Metallic Starlings, Yellow Orioles and Helmeted Friarbirds, but I'd like to get Lorikeets and Fig Parrots and from a separate nectar feeder, smaller Honeys.

Rainbows are highly aggressive birds, note that once they know you're putting out food they will dominate your feeders, no honeyeater, oriole or starling is going to be able to fight them off, heck even Sulfur-crested Cockatoos have trouble as the rainbows will co-operate to swarm them away.

[chowchilla]

Originally Posted by Dimitris

Rainbows are highly aggressive birds, note that once they know you're putting out food they will dominate your feeders, no honeyeater, oriole or starling is going to be able to fight them off, heck even Sulfur-crested Cockatoos have trouble as the rainbows will co-operate to swarm them away.

Point taken. Maybe I'll stick to the fruit!

[stonechat1]

It´s curios for me that you guys are feeding those nectar eating birds seeds, even worse that you are prefering that fat Black Sunflower.