Red Lory parrots, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Red Lory, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
The Red Lory shown in these photos is part of the collection of exotic birds kept in Taronga Zoo in Sydney. I’ve never seen this species in its natural habitat because they are endemic to the Indonesian islands of the Moluccas and nearby islands. It certainly would be a stunning bird to see in it natural environment. The Wikipedia article says it is a popular aviary bird and I can well imagine that its bright colours being very attractive to collectors and bird admirers.
The bird shown here was photographed in a walk through aviary at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.
Red Lory, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Grey Butcherbird, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Grey Butcherbird, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
During our visit to Taronga Zoo we spent some time in the children’s section. This was for the benefit of our grandson who was about 19 months old at the time. Just as we were approaching this section of the zoo, a Grey Butcherbird flew across the path in front of me and landed on a nearby branch. He posed beautifully for me while I took a series of photos.
This individual was obviously quite at home in the grounds of the zoo and was unafraid of the many people passing by. He seemed quite at ease and probably thrived on food scraps provided by the keepers for the animals on display. Grey Butcherbirds are relatively common in the Sydney area.
I only wish all birds were as cooperative in posing for my camera. Still, taking that hard to get photo of a bird with all its challenges is so rewarding. I need to take the easy with the not so easy.
Grey Butcherbird, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Beautiful lunch time visitor
Silver Gull, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Silver Gulls make excellent photographic studies. This is because they are generally quite unafraid of people, especially at the beach, in picnic areas or open air restaurants. On our visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney last year this individual decided it was worth hanging around where we were sitting in the hope of a few morsels to eat. It was sadly disappointed because we only sat at the table for a few minutes while we had a drink break.
What a beautiful pest
Common Myna, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
I took this photograph of a Common Myna last year on a visit to one of my favourite zoos, Taronga Zoo in Sydney. We had a short break at one of the food outlets in the zoo. As we were sitting there a Common Myna sat on one of the umbrellas covering patrons having a meal. The red top of the umbrella is shown reflected on the breast feathers of the bird, creating an interesting effect. Look rather beautiful, actually.
Sadly, this introduced species has grown to pest proportions in Sydney, Melbourne and many other towns and cities. It is a pest species because it competes with native bird species for food and nesting spots and is steadily displacing native species in some areas.
Common Myna, Sydney
Long-billed Black-cockatoo, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Long-billed Black-cockatoo, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
The Long-billed Black-cockatoo is also known as Baudin’s Cockatoo. In its natural habitat it is confined to the south western corner of Western Australia. I have seen this species on only a handful of occasions on my last visit to that state. Sadly, this was in 1978, so we are well overdue for a return visit to the beautiful state of Western Australia.
The next best thing is to view these beautiful birds in a zoo – surely a very poor second, but still good. On our visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney last year we eagerly watched the Free Flight Bird Show, a twice daily introduction by the keepers to the birds of Australia. These cockatoos were on display after the show so that visitors could get a good, close up view of them. It also provided me with an excellent photo opportunity.
Long-billed Black-cockatoo, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Long-billed Black-cockatoo, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Long-billed Black-cockatoo, Taronga Zoo, Sydney