lagoon creek - cak, cak, cak, the dollarbirds are back

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Dollarbird
Scientific Name: Eurystomus orientalis
Description: The Dollarbird is the sole Australian representative of the Roller family, so named because of their rolling courtship display flight. The Dollarbird visits Australia each year to breed. It has mostly dark brown upperparts, washed heavily with blue-green on the back and wing coverts. The breast is brown, while the belly and undertail coverts are light, and the throat and undertail glossed with bright blue. The flight feathers of the wing and tail are dark blue. The short, thick-set bill is orange-red, tipped with black. In flight, the pale blue coin-shaped patches towards the tips of its wings, that gave the bird its name, are clearly visible. Both sexes are similar, although the female is slightly duller. Young Dollarbirds are duller than the adults and lack the bright blue gloss on the throat. The bill and feet are brownish in colour instead of red. The origin of the Dollardbird's name stems from the silvery, circular patches on the underside of the wings, thought to resemble the American silver dollar coin.
Distribution: The Dollarbird arrives in northern and eastern Australia in September each year to breed. In March or April the birds return to New Guinea and adjacent islands to spend the winter.
Habitat: In Australia, the Dollarbird inhabits open wooded areas, normally with mature, hollow-bearing trees suitable for nesting
Feeding: Dollarbirds feed almost exclusively on flying insects. They search for food from a conspicuous perch and then capture it in skilful aerial pursuits, before returning to the same perch. Occasionally, Dollarbirds have been seen feeding on grasshoppers on the ground, although this practice is uncommon.
Breeding: During breeding season, pairs of Dollarbirds are often seen flying in characteristic rolling flights. These flights are more common in the evening, and are accompanied by cackling calls. The white eggs are laid in an unlined tree hollow and are incubated by both adults. The young birds are also cared for by both parents. The same nesting site may be used for several years.
Calls: The distinctive, harsh 'kak-kak-kak' call is repeated several times, and is often given in flight.
Minimum Size: 26cm
Maximum Size: 31cm
Average size: 28cm
Average weight: 123g
Breeding season: October to January
Clutch Size: 3 to 4
(Source: www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Eurystomus-orientalis)

© Chris Burns 2018
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This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.

Taken in: Australia / Queensland / Barcaldine (show map)

Taken on: October 23, 2018

Tags:

Dollarbird

Eurystomus orientalis

Australian bird

fauna

Australian fauna

nature

outback

outdoors

Nikon D500

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

Alice River

Barcaldine

Queensland

Australia

wildlife

Australian wildlife « less

Sets appears in: • Barcaldine Birds • Birds

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Camera: Nikon D500, f/14.0, 1/320 sec, 500mm (=750mm), ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D500
Lens:	200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6
Aperture:	f/14.0
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/320)
Focal Length:	500mm (35mm equivalent: 750mm)
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 (Windows)
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