Finch and kangaroo

What a lovely week! A flock of about thirty Red-browed Finches have been enjoying the grass seeds at my place. I was watching them this afternoon when this little female hopped onto a rock. I should say, probably female, as the brow of the male usually has a blunter end.

Red-browed Finches are usually almost invisible dots smudged in clumps on the grass, so I was rapt when this little one hopped onto a rock for the briefest of moments. The clarity in this shot is pretty remarkable, it’s perfectly focused from the tip of its bill to the tip of its tail. I love capturing details and you might notice that its minuscule nail is perfectly placed on the rock. Now I feel a bit ridiculous for mentioning the intensity of my pixel peeping! This species used to be known as Red-browed Firetails which I think was a beautiful name for them, especially as a flash of their red rumps is often the first identifier you see.

These tiny birds are seed eaters. The feed in little flocks flitting to cover if anything disturbs them before venturing out gradually, the bravest ones first followed by the more cautious stragglers.

It’s not every day that I’m lucky enough to see Eastern Grey Kangaroos. Sometimes I sit for hours with them at sites around the state. It’s devastating how drastically their numbers are dwindling and how sickening numbers are being ‘harvested’ by commercial shooters. Organisations around the world are lobbying for companies and countries to ban kangaroo products and their valiant efforts are being rewarded with many international companies, including Adidas, ASICS, New Balance, Diadora, Mizuno, Puma and Nike phasing out the use of kangaroo.

Increasing numbers of pet food companies are also phasing out the use of kangaroo meat, recognising that it is unhygienic, unethical and unsustainable.

The commercial shooting of these iconic Aussies reminds me of the shooting of Koalas a century ago. Millions of these gentle creatures were shot until international pressure put a stop to the slaughter. Koalas are now an endangered species. I see the same thing happening with kangaroos if the killing continues. Already on my travels I’m shocked by how few kangaroos I’m now seeing. Independent scientists express concern about the dwindling numbers while shooters pretend kangaroo numbers are exploding at rates that are impossible. If we see family mobs of these stunning animals at roadsides it’s not because their numbers have increased but because there is so little food available following our summer drought.

I’m tired after a big day working in the garden, and I see that the time is past midnight so instead of trying to explain everything here I’ll post links for anyone who would like to learn more or would like to know how they can help: Kangaroos at Risk, Victorian Kangaroo Alliance, Kangaroos Alive – navigate to the heart-wrenching open letter by scientists and academics on the Kangaroos at Risk page and please avoid using kangaroo products – actually, I don’t really need to add that as there wouldn’t be many of us who could learn what is happening and still tolerate kangaroos and their joeys being treated in such horrific ways.

Happy birding, Kim

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