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Maureen’s Page

been able to tell me why they are known by that name/number. birds in a given area. These birds are crested and black in colour
They are also pretty with a red flash just above the beak, dark with a partly red tail.
heads, a yellow collar with different shades of green plumage.
They also arrive in pairs and are generally very quiet visitors. The Emu (Dromaius novachollandiae) is the largest Australian
bird. It is very similar to the South African Ostrich. Both are
At our previous home we had Galahs (Eolophus roseicapillus) flightless birds. Emus produce a deep booming sound much like
which arrived enmass. They are around but have not graced our a drum. They can reach a speed of about 50 kph.
feeder with their presence - yet. They are really lovely to look at
in shades of grey and pink but are extremely noisy. They sport a The local area has a number of duck ponds, each with an
beautiful pink crest. assortment of species. In Spring the little yellow fluff balls soon
grow into elegant young ducklings. It is quite common to find a
There are frequent FaceBook posts enquiring if anyone has lost group of youngsters out with nets trying to catch yabbies. These
a “tame” parrot. Although these birds are all wind and free there are fresh water crayfish type creatures which were given their
are individuals who will take food from your finders. Willie freedom in the hope of growing into large adults well worth
Wagtails (Rhipidura leugophrys) are similar to the African catching and eating.
variety but instead of being grey and striped these are black and
white. They do share the tail bobbing/tail wagging action that In a previous article I mentioned the Cape Barren Geese
we all love. (Cereopsis novaechollandiae) which live on the islands in the
Recheche Archipelago. These majestic birds are large and pale
One of several spectacular sights is to see a wedge of Pelicans grey with a black tail with dark grey wind feathers and red legs.
overhead (Pelecanus conspicillatus.) The area has a number They enjoy strolling across the grass at the local golf course.
of fresh water and salt water lakes. Paradise for bird watches
with walkways and bird hides at strategic places. Black swans Even the local pigeons (Ocyphaps lophotes) are unusual - they
(Cygnus stratus) are also found on these lakes. Truly beautiful have crests. They are grey with a slender black crest. This is
to watch a flotilla take flight. merely a snapshot of the feathered creatures around Esperance -
there are many more equally fascinating creatures.
The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus bansii) also
fly overhead in great numbers. An annual “Cocky count” is held Maureen
with volunteers being tasked with counting the exact number of

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