What a palaver but I’ve finally managed to access the business side of my website and I’m super happy to share these photographs that show how the White-winged Chough got its name and why they don’t always look like ravens.
These choughs (pronounced chuffs) spend a lot of time foraging on the ground in groups of about ten birds. They use their feet to scrape through the leaf litter and grasses looking for insects and seeds. They can sometimes be seen foraging on roadsides where they are easily mistaken for ravens.
When you see them more closely you’ll notice that they have a bright red eye. The inside of their bills is also red. Their sturdy bills curve downwards. Young choughs have a brown iris that gradually turns to orange and finally red in about four years.
In the photograph above you can see a tiny speck of white on the chough’s wing.
White-winged Choughs can be found across much of eastern and south-eastern Australia. They are members of the Corcoracidae family along with Apostlebirds. Both of these species are social and both build mud nests.
Despite often keeping their white wing patches well hidden they can be seen when the birds take flight or when they are preening.
I took this series of photographs at the wonderful Snape Reserve in Little Desert country. I have shared photographs from this area before, including a tribute that I shared when the area was impacted earlier this year by a devastating bushfire. The tribute post includes photographs of many bird species, Eastern Grey Kangaroos and two very large lizards: Little Desert Bushfire
My trip to Adelaide for the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition opening was fabulous. Ms 16 was with me and is a fabulous wildlife spotter as well as fabulous company.
My sincere thanks to the Snape Reserve Committee of Management for their ongoing stewardship of this stunning reserve and for co-opting me as a member of their committee. I plan to visit the reserve as frequently as possible and will share more photographs in the coming weeks.
Part of this week’s busy-ness (not counting the Adelaide trip, sick babies and fallen branches) has been finalising the calendar details. There was a slight delay with the proof but it is due to arrive this week and once I’ve confirmed that all the colours and details are perfect I’ll order the print run. Calendars can still be ordered by clicking this link Etsy – Kim Wormald lirralirra
My apologies if things look different this week but I’m using a borrowed computer as the page wouldn’t load on my own set up. All photographs were taken with my Canon R5 and Canon RF 600 f/4 L IS USM (I can’t access setting details at the moment). Huge thanks to Joy and Heinz for helping with the muddle, and huge thanks to the emailers who wrote hoping that all is well in lirralirra land.
Happy birding, Kim
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I love watching Choughs in their busy family groups. Their vocalisations and antics are always entertaining. Their tendency to kidnap young birds from other family groups to help crèche their young is a fascinating feature of these birds. Wonderful photos thanks Kim!
I’ve read about the kidnapping, such a fascinating way to ensure genetic diversity. I wonder if they swap quite happily… I’ll have to read more now.
Proof that red eye in photographs is not always a bad thing. I adore the choughs (and ravens) and welcome them whenever I see them.
Oh that is so true EC, how funny. And the list includes Eastern Spinebills and Spangled Drongos – one of which has been taking nectar from apricot blossoms this very morning.