Brown Falcons – Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST

Brown Falcons

Was out with a group conducting a quarterly bird survey. The area is open woodland and grasslands Ideal Brown Falcon territory.

We had turned a corner into an open area, and a bird rose off the ground up ahead. With outstretched white wings and body, the first thought from the group was “Nankeen Kestrel”.

But the body size and wing action was of a Brown Falcon, and as it flew past, I managed a few frames, and sure enough. Brown Falcon. Which at the time I described it as “White-Brown Falcon”.
Which started the usual birdo discussions of nomenclature, bird naming, morph styles and correcting my error of naming it as “White”.

Click on photo for a larger view

The “White” Brown Falcon that started the discussion

In the afternoon walk, Mr An Onymous and left the group to follow a track along a ridge-line as it was in shade and cooler. In a few minutes we saw on Brown on a tree, then heard the raucous call of an incoming bird. A food delivery no doubt and we went to look. The “White” bird flew into a tree with a snack, and the first bird followed and after some in-depth Falcon discussion they both flew out together with two rich brown juveniles.

And thinking back over the experience, I began to wonder how many ‘White” Falcons I’d seen over the years. There used to be a theory that the lighter morph (there I used the term) were of the forest, while the darker variety were of the open plains. Now it seems the changes in colour might have something to do with age, and also sex. There are some magicians of the black art variety that are able to look at the variations of the dress, and cere and eye-ring and determine age and sex. It is I have to say an art that I have failed in on all occassions.

So here are a few of the local birds that I’ve encountered over the years.

This handsome bird was one of a pair of Light coloured birds that were in our area over the winter

This is the same “White” bird that I had noted from a previous count

Long time readers may remember Cassia, of Cinnamon
She was sitting among the pines, keeping out of the wind
I nearly missed spotting her, and had to go back for a second look.
Then the sun came out.
It really burnished her recent moult into rich brown new feathers.

Another bird that caused consternation for those who spotted it. Such a dark chocolate colour that at a distance looked like a Black Falcon.
However on closer examination the face mask and stance were of a very dark Brown Falcon.

This one was on the side of the road and at a distance I thought it would be a Kestrel.

And interesting combo of a light marbled chest.
It’s not wary of me, but of a vehicle that is coming down the road, going fast and then slow. Vehicles at speed they can deal with, but the erratic causes them concern.

The rich honey colours of a recently fledged bird.
The dark juvenile colours will change out at the first moult. Interestingly the rich honey tones will change lighter as the bird spends time in the open sunshine.

High Action

Enjoy

PS Betcha can pick the male from the female in the header photo

I always think of this cover painting by Susan McInnes from the Gould League “Birds of South-eastern Australia” series. This book has been much travelled in our family

Been awhile since I’ve posted, but its been lack of good weather more than anything.
The area close to home, on the Werribee River Park, that I’ve taken to euphemistically calling ‘The Office”, has an amazing number of raptors, and I thought I’d introduce them and what they are up to.

On the roadway in, just over the Geelong Freeway, there is a fence line and a few old pines. Here a pair of Black-shouldered Kites have just flown their two orange and cinnamon young. In the same tree line a pair of Black Kites appear to be setting up house, if not already at work on brooding. Next tree or three down, is a pair of Brown Falcons. Not nesting yet, but certainly staking out their claim to the territory. Much to the anger of the Black-shouldered Kites.

Down the road a little just before the carpark off in the paddocks a second pair of Brown Falcons are at work on territorial rights. Also regularly in the area a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles, although the moment, it probably is just a convenient perching location.

At the carpark proper, a pair of Black-shouldered Kites and their recently fledged three teenagers. Not more than a dozen trees down from them is a pair of Black Kites and a nest that is work in progress. I’ve not checked up close, but there is either brooding or feeding going on. The male seems quite adept at pursing a laden Black-shouldered Kite and getting it to release its mouse capture.

A pair of Brown Falcons are constantly in the trees just off the river cliffs line, and I’d be tempted to say its a likely spot for a nest.

Further out in the field and well away from my prying lens is a pair of Australian Kestrels, and again they are too early for nesting, but are certainly building good pair bonding.

Combine that with the regular visits by any number of Whistling Kites and the area is certainly busy. A few days back an arrow shaped bird sped through the trees and caused quite a stir among the smaller birds and the one really good look suggested Peregrine Falcon, and I’ve seen one briefly on the fence line on the way in.

So here are a few of the birds at work. The food in the area must be exceptional to support such a range of nesting and preparing birds.