RED WATTLEBIRD

 

Red Wattlebird  Anthochaera

 The wattlebirds are such a common bird in the Kilmore area, it is sometimes easy to forget how interesting and beautiful they are. 

 They are large, noisy, aggressive and like to 'push around' the more placid birds in the area, demanding the best access to the flowering trees.

 

 

This time of the year they are very visible as they move from one flowering tree to the next. This group of birds was very busy in a row of Grevillea Robusta, Silky Oak trees, adjacent to the Kilmore Golf course. There were young amongst the group, identifiable by the lack of the red cheek wattles. 

 

 

 Hence their name 'Wattlebird' as opposed to be named after the common wattle trees in our area.

The wattlebirds used to be the first birds we would hear each morning. Quite early, whilst still dark we would hear the 'Quock, quock' sounds of the early risers which became more harsh grating or barking 'hrarrrkkk-a-krak' as they begin the busy time of feeding. Now it is the vagrant Koel who wakes us ant any time of the day or night with its ubiquitous calling

 

They Wattlebirds beautiful and interesting birds, often maligned for  their harsh voices and cheeky aggressiveness, very similar to many of our enthusiastic and cheeky young people with their sometimes harsh voices who can also delight us every day.