My Burra Family

Thursday, 3 March 2016

Boof. How quickly kids grow up.

This is a bit of a time line on how quickly these guys develop.

I was introduced to Boof on the 4^th of Jan at the age of 2 months

I say 2 months, as a member of Birds of Oz has been documenting the development of her Kookaburra baby Spike. Deborah Pearse had the unique camera angle to view straight into his breeding box. He hatched the 15^th Nov & I think Boof is 7 – 10 days older. I think this, not only because of behaviour, but by his lower beak. Baby Kookas had a stubby all black beak. This grows quickly and the lower beak starts to change to cream. Boof started a while ago, Spike a week later.

I just love his little squat beak.

If I hide up here

He'll never find me

Sound asleep I hear.................
KOO, KOO, KOO, KAA, KAA, KAA, KOO, KOO, KOO, KAA, KAA, KAA.
"Will you put a cork in it" I yelled

God does have a sense of humour.

When he arrived he was all clumsy & uncoordinated. There wasn’t an object or sound that didn’t fascinate him. And they play. Yes, play. I watched as one morning he pounced on a piece of dead palm frond that had blown off a neighbour’s tree during the night. He flogged it to death making such a commotion, you’d have thought he was in battle with a monster snake. Once satisfied it was dead, he flew up to the fence. Looking down at his kill, he wasn’t quite sure if it was dead enough, so flew down and gave it another flogging. Damn thing just wouldn’t stay dead.

The next day (17^th) I set up Headley hoping for some fun. I wasn’t let down. Boof picked up a wooden knob, and jump up to the Tapas Bar to play with it. Not only was I treated with the following photos, it was what happened after he flew off with the knob in his mouth that made me laugh out loud.

You see what I have, don't you

You saw. I caught it, I killed it

but I do have one question.....

How do I get the bloody thing off

I know. I'll fly up to that tree

And knock it off on one of those leafy branches.

Wow, this thing is heavy.

I....just....can't....hold....on.

He was flying up to his perch above the cycleway, but the knob was bloody heavy and he dropped it. At this exact same time an elderly Japanese couple were walking along the cycleway, when the knob landed next to the Gentleman. Their reaction was priceless. I couldn’t understand what they were yelling at Boof, but I could guess. They’ll go home with tales of Drop Bears & Killer Kookaburras.

Like Human babies, baby Kookaburras need to learn to speak. They have the begging call from the minute they hatch, but the other calls come much later. With Boof it was the 27^th of Jan.

It was only a “KOO, KOO, KOO”. His first words. The “KAA, KAA, KAA” will come later.

KOO, KOO, KOO
KOO, KOO, KOO.

What a big day this was going to be for Boof.

For a week now he had been watching me hand feed the family from the rail, as he did today. Them fed & gone, I settled down to have a quite beer and enjoy the last of the day. That’s when it happened. Boof flew up to the railing on his own. He sat there eyeballing me and doing his “feed me” call, me sitting there softly chatting to him. Slowly I stood up to go get him some meat, which scared him & he flew back to the fence. The next day he did the same. This time I still had some meat with me. Showing him the meat he allowed me to approach him. This day 2feet was the Point. The point he wouldn’t let me cross. Each day allowing me to get closer until he was happy to get meat placed next to me resting on the rail.

It’s the 3^rd of Feb and Boof seems very relaxed now. Today he took his first step. The last few days I’ve been feeding him with the meat lying next to my hand. A couple of times he’d let me hand a piece to him, but still refused to jump on my hand. That all changed today. Today he hopped on. It was only brief, he grabbed his treat & flew off. We did this another ½ dozen times. Final tally – 4 pieces of meat, 2 fingers (He really needs to work on that aim thing).

Don't look at me.

Look at the meat

Now jump onto my hand.

A long journey starts with one small step.

Boofs Training.
Step 1: Get him to sit on your finger.
Step 2: Don’t let him bite it

Step 3: Definitely don’t let him get enough purchase that he can pull backwards....
Step 4: Dial 000. Help will be there directly.

On his next visit, instead of getting up to get him some meat, I got my camera. Would he allow me to take close-up? Turns out he’s a natural.

Boof checking out the camera.

He's a chilled out character.

The camera's only 10cm away

It would be nice if you could give me a profile shot Boof.

While all of this is going on he is still giving me some great photos from the Tapas Bar. He needs to check out everything. Like Button (last year’s baby) he samples everything.

The 70's.

The decade of "big hair."

Silly Saturday

"Give me a goofy look"

Silly Saturday

"Give me a smile"

Silly Saturday

"Bite Me!"

Well it’s now the 7^th, and his biggest step by far – literally.

His big step was onto my hand where he chose to stay. He was happy to eat his treat without flying off. It was a light bulb moment for him. He realised he would get more if he just sat there.
That vid is at the bottom of my post.

Even in training

A feed doesn't come easily at my place.

Securing only half his treat

Boof sits there contemplating what to do next

The 12^th was a scorcher. I have a squirter on the table for the cats training. Would he appreciate a squirt? Absolutely loved it.

Kookaburra Training - Discipline.

Step 1. Squirt your naughty Kookaburra with water.

Step 2. If step 1 didn’t work, get closer & repeat step 1.

Step 3. Make sure they’re not enjoying it.

The next morning was also hot. I was down early cleaning out the bird bath when Boof arrived at the fence to watch. I wondered? Spraying the water high in the air I sent the stream his way. He was like a kid, opening his mouth and trying to catch the drops. So cute. I turned the hose off & went upstairs to get Headley. Boof was waiting when I got back. Turns out he likes a bit of a hosing. Headley got it all & the video is at the bottom of this post.

Not quite dried off yet

But it has left him with such a clean beak

While we’re on Headley and videos, I went down later that day to collect him, it was getting late & the light was poor. While I was down there, Boof arrived next to me on the fence. I turned Headley back on and did my first selfie. I think the interaction is great & worth the watch. Btw, I don’t have a face for selfies, but this was worth posting. That to will be at the bottom of this post.

My 1st selfie.

The 20^th was interesting. Devil was asleep on the veranda when Boof landed on the rail above him. I thought “this will be interesting”. I wasn’t concerned about devil as I had Squirt (name for my squirter bottle) in my hand if interjection was required, and I’ll admit I wanted some. I wanted to see what goes on when I’m away at work. Both are very aware of each other, but seem relaxed. So relaxed, that after a couple of minutes I went inside to get my camera. Hyde, my other cat (he’s been thru this 4 times now) and while interested, just watches.

Don't look at me silly.

Don't worry about me. I've got him covered.

He moves that 2nd paw & I'm out of here.

The 21st and Boof is now a daily visitor. Still a bit clumsy getting aboard, but he's getting the idea.

Now I want you to step onto my hand.

No, not into my hand.

You need to get a better grip

That he did.

I'm sure he's going for an artery in my wrist.

Now normally I'd be worried about my fingers,

But the death grip exhibited above, increased.

Would I bleed to death, crossed my mind.

Finally a perch both he & I was happy with.

No Authors were hurt in bringing you these photos

My favourite time of the day is twilight on a hot summer eve. Sitting there enjoying the view and reflecting on the days events.

Boys being boys, you can expect at times

they're going to come in missing some bark.

Here's Boof with a bit of a scratch on his beak.

The best way to beat the stresses of the day...

...is like this.

I need to save some photos for the next post, so I guess that's it for this post.

It was a biggy. I hope you enjoyed.

If you're not bored yet, here's those video's

Boofs first step

https://youtu.be/pBKUGJGzAfk

Boof copping a hosing

https://youtu.be/OB9GkwpmyKg

My first selfie

https://youtu.be/_5Vx7HsH4X8

Thursday, 18 February 2016

It's Summer - the Storm Birds are here.

Kym

Last November I had a pair of Eastern Koels arrive. These guys fly down from New Guinea each year and leave for home around March. So much about these guys fascinate me, so settle down while I explain.

Besides their looks, and they are spectacular, it’s what they do.

They are Brood Parasites. That means they lay their eggs in another birds nest for them to rear. Bloody good move when you see what this kid eats. Typically they use Wattlebirds, Friarbirds & Pee Wee's as their host. It’s a mystery why they pick these small birds & not one’s similar in size to them?

Well, I have 2 of these 3 potential hosts that visit the Tapas Bar. Red & Little John (turns out he’s a she), they are Red Wattlebirds, and Pernicious & Pedro, the Pee Wees.

Red, the male Red Wattlebird.

Pedro, the male Pee Wee.

Seems, that one bird’s misfortune, is another man’s fortune. This year Red & Little John drew the short straw. This was lucky for me because these 2 are constantly visiting the Tapas every day, so I thought I was a good chance they would visit bringing their foster bub.

Not only did they visit, but so did their biological parents. The parents visiting was a real bonus as these shy & reclusive birds normally hang in the tree tops.

What to name them? I wanted something Aussie that readers would recognise. I selected Kath & Kym (you know from the TV show).

I was telling me Sister of my good fortune & the names I’d selected. To which she informed me that Kym was a girl. Bugger. “Haven’t you ever watched their show Brad” she asked. Obviously not.
With names for Mum & Dad, that left me with Bub and I had the perfect name for her.
Storm.
Koels are also known as Storm birds. They herald in approaching storms on those hot summer arvos, that, and she was born into stormy times.

So back to Dad, the poorly named Kym.

The next morning, the Tapas Bay had been laid, Headley set up. Ready for whoever turned up.
And I couldn’t believe my luck. Kym came in for a drink at the Tranquillity Pool. Finished, he turned his attention to the Tapas Bar. I held my breath.

It was the mango that caught his eye.

Kym's first visit

Being his first visit, he was cautious, checking out everything. He scared the shit out of Headley.

His first visit, he was on tender hooks.

Standing tall looking around offered me this photo.

Fireworks went off.

Nervous, He looks in all directions.

This is the stare that scared the shit out of Headley

But Headley stood his ground (it was like he was rooted to the spot).

Checking out the mango smoothie, Kym was startled & flew off before even sampling it.

What the .... was that

I hoped this wasn't my last photo of Kym

Bugger.

As luck would have it, he returned the very next day.
Today however was going to be a little tricky. Yesterday the pulp was used for smoothies, today he had to deal with the pip. These are slippery suckers and it was funny watching him deal with it.

Kym is learning what we all know....

How frustrating trying to eat a Mango pip is.

I'll have your guts for garters.

A couple of days later he returned. It was late in the arvo. Most of the food had been eaten. I was going to down and get Headley. I'm so glad I didn't. I got some of my best photos of Kym in this session.

These guys eat the fruit/berries from palm trees. Lots & lots of them.

This is how they get rid of them.

Hack, hack, hack, hack

hack, hack, .....

AHHHH.
That feels so much better.

On his next and last visit he turned into a griffin and flew off.

Actually he got swooped by Red and burred up but what’s romantic about that?

Shit! Here comes trouble.

Time to turn into a Griffin

This I find really interesting. Both Red & Little John give Kath & Kym such a hard time every time they see them. They obviously see them as a threat. What’s interesting is that while all this is going on they are in fact raising the Koels chick.

So to the Wattlebirds, they’ve already hatched their egg, so it can’t be that they think the Koels are egg or chick eaters (Koels are vegetarian. Eating fruit & figs found in the tops of trees, but you would swear looking at Kym, he was a Raptor) so why are they into them at every opportunity?

Now for the interesting part.

The arrival of Storm. I was shocked at her size. She is a giant.

Storm

Easily 3 times bigger than her foster parents.

How do the Wattlebirds not pick up that this chick isn’t theirs?

A mystery, but one easily solved, the baby chick sounds like a baby Wattlebird chick.

They mimic the call for the chick the parents are expecting to hear.

Now here’s the real mystery. How do they know which call to make.

A Wattlebird’s chick call is different to a Pee Wee’s and so on. Yet the baby knows exactly the call to make.

Wow hey.

Well, not only do they do that, but because of their size & constant need for food,………………..

Wait for it………………they can call like a brood of chicks, so both parents think they are feeding 3 or 4 chicks.

Storm would sit in the tree behind my place and beg. Both Red & Little john were almost a tag team in feeding her. One would come to the Tapas Bar, grab a beak full & fly the 30 meters to feed her. While one was doing that, the other was at the Tapas Bar. They would eat a fair bit themselves before flying back to bub. It must burn a heap of energy doing this all day.

After watching this for a week or so, Storm ventured down on her own to the Tapas Bar to feed herself.
What I had hoped for.

But did she land too bloody close to Headley? I wouldn’t know for a few hours until I uploaded to my PC. Well, she did a little, but I was stoked to have got what I wanted.

The thing I wanted to capture most was Red or Little John feeding her. I couldn't believe my luck with what happened next.

This is.............

Truly.....................

A Mothers love

Over the next couple of weeks she visited a few times. Kim hasn’t been back & I’m still hoping for Kath’s first visit.

Storm provided a heap of interesting photos.

So while all this Wattlebird rearing Koel chick thing is going on, Kath & Kim are constantly around calling & watching.

If I was Little John

I'd be thinking...

Dear Lord....

Don't let her sneeze.

Ready for another amazing fact on these guys.
The chick, unlike most birds that imprint with the first thing they see, wait.

They wait until their speech has developed from a Wattlebird chick begging call to a Koel bird call.

With Storm it was 4 weeks or so after her first intro, that she made her first call. Well sort of.

She then waits to see who answers & it’s them she imprints to. That’s how she knows she’s a Koel & not a Wattlebird.
More interesting is that Kath & Kym will leave in a few weeks before her, to fly back north to New Guinea.

How does Storm know where to go?

It’s been a couple of weeks and Red & Little John have stopped feeding Storm, though she still begs.

She hasn’t been back which is interesting as she is always in view of the Tapas Bar.

Now her biological mum Kath has turned up. Late in the arvo she’s popped in for a drink from the Tranquillity Pool for the last few days. Normally too late for Headley.

So I set up the Tapas Bar & Headley late one day, and she turned up. I can’t tell you how chuffed I was. I had the whole family now.