Mid-June 

White-winged Choughs

 Corcorax melanorhamphos  Corcoracidae

After a few wet weeks, the bush is looking alive once again. Walking on the northern edges of the Hill today, I  watched the choughs turning over the leaf mulch and digging in the soft earth.

I love the way these birds forage together, talking and warbling one to the next, as they go. I know that Apostle Birds (Struthidea cinerea), are often called 'Happy Families', but I think that the title should go to these happy, noisy birds.

It is easy to get close to them; they are always so busy and preoccupied, doing what they do. A quiet approach with some trees between oneself and the group, allows an intimate view of them as they work. When surprised they simply fly off onto a nearby, cuddling together on low hanging branch. At other  times they simply move a few metres on, and continue their feeding.

I was reminded yesterday, of a story from the early days of Australia. It was said that parents were always very wary of their children when these Happy Family groups (probably Apostle birds but it could also be these choughs) were about. Young children would take delight in following the flocks, trying to catch them. The birds would fly a short distance and stop. The children would follow. The birds would move on a little further and the children would follow. The birds always remained, as they still do, tantalizingly close to their followers. The pursuit would continue with the children following. Even now it is easy to understand that parents back then, were afraid that their young children might follow the birds until they became lost, never to be found again.

Hmm! When they look at me, head on with those red, red eyes, they do look a little evil.