Monthly Archives: January 2014
You silly galah
“You silly galah!” That’s what Australians say, usually affectionately, when someone makes a gaffe or does something daft. A galah is actually a beautiful bird, grey with a deep pink chest, and a funny little crest on its head. I spotted a tree full of them this morning, chirping away at each other in that funny voice of theirs.
Common name: Galah
Scientific name: Cacatua roseicapilla
Approximate length: 38 cm
Date spotted: 27 January 2014
Season: Summer
Location: Manly Vale, New South Wales, Australia
Latitude/longitude: -33° 46.791′, 151° 15.744′
Here’s a still photo of them:
Spotted a Sparrowhawk near Manly Dam
It took me a while to identify this bird. I’ve decided it’s a Collared Sparrowhawk. Other candidates were a Brown Goshawk and a Peregrine Falcon. I’ve spent a while poring over my bird book, and decided that this bird doesn’t have a light enough front collar to be a Peregrine Falcon. Deciding between the Goshawk and the Sparrowhawk was even more difficult. Close examination reveals that this bird has middle toes that are longer than the other toes, which qualifies it to be the Sparrowhawk.
Common name: Collared Sparrowhawk
Scientific name: Accipiter cirrhocephalus
Approximate length: 30-40 cm, wing span 55-80cm
Date spotted: 25 December 2013
Season: Summer
Location: Manly Dam Reserve, New South Wales, Australia
Latitude/longitude: -33° 46.608′, 151° 15.268′
Here’s a still of the same bird. What a fierce gaze!
This one shows the barred plumage on the bird’s chest, and the long middle toe:
Sydney Birder 