Hidden heads revealed

Congratulations to everyone who had a go at solving last week’s mysteries, either here, on social media, in private messages or in the privacy of your own mind!

This Whiskered Tern was correctly identified quite a few times, also generically identified as ‘tern’ and pretty frequently as a Silver Gull, which was understandable too. In last week’s shot the tern’s dark underparts could be seen but could also be misinterpreted as shadow.

This cute fairywren was correctly identified by most people. Some suggested it’s a female but it’s actually a male in non-breeding plumage, as can be confirmed by its black bill.

The ‘diver’ is a Silver Gull. This one is showing its red legs and feet, which explains why a few birders were muddled with the first shot.

This wispy swamphen wasn’t too confusing though was muddled with a moorhen more than once.

No one lucky enough to have seen a Powerful Owl would have muddled this magnificent bird with anything else. Good luck to everyone who hasn’t seen one yet, they are truly remarkable birds (but please don’t venture off the paths to see them, it’s not worth the risk to their wellbeing).

These small, exquisite ducks are arguably one of the most beautiful duck species on the planet. Unfortunately they are also on the ‘game duck’ list for duck shooters. I’ve seen way too many of these birds’ heads tossed aside at wetlands, hopefully the archaic, cruel and unnecessary ‘sport’ will soon be ended. Maybe our increasing understanding of zoonotic diseases will help preserve our wildlife.

My garden is practically underwater at the moment, due partly to the amount of rain we’ve had and partly to the extension works taking place on the property up-slope from mine. This has some pretty rotten consequences as I can’t mow, can’t even walk on it in many places and the dog run has flooded. But there is also a positive. A pair of blackies have decided they’d like to make a series of ponds for me which they have been steadily creating by dabbling in the wettest spots.

In drier parts of the country, and during hot summers, birds can often be found seeking drops of water from taps and leaking rain water tanks.

Helmeted Honeyeaters are critically endangered so I’m not surprised that this bird was a bit tricker to guess. As they are a sub-species of the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater I’m happy to count that as correct too.

This bundle of fluff was pretty tricky to identify, until it lifted its unmistakable head! There were some funny comments about last week’s image, including ‘baby balls of fluff’ and some doubt about whether it was a bird at all!

This juvenile Crimson Rosella was correctly identified pretty often but confused with other species a couple of times.

These big, beautiful geese fill me with happiness. I love watching their antics and seeing their tiny winter chicks foraging at their parents’ feet. This bird was moulting in a very considerate way, clearly showing its spotted feathers.

Not a Chestnut Teal as was suggested by several birders but a young Australian Shelduck. So cute!

Without carefully going through all the answers (including on the new and so far confusing facebook system) I think the Royal Spoonbill was the mystery photograph that was misidentified with the largest number of alternatives, including: Australian White Ibis, Eastern Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Cattle Egret and Little Egret.

There have been a few signs of nesting at my place. I’ve seen Australian Wood Ducks/Maned Ducks checking out the hollows while New Holland Honeyeaters, Striated Thornbills and Brown Thornbills have been collecting nesting material. It’s good to think that spring is on its way, hopefully it will be lighting up a safer world.

Take care out there, happy birding, Kim

PS Please look at last week’s comments to check how well everyone did! With the new facebook format I don’t think I’ll be able to find everyone’s comments on there, so sorry.


~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group  Ethical Bird Photography