Focussing now, way up in that big angophora tree again. This tree is a haven for various birds at differing times of year and it grows in the bush-corridor at the rear. Not directly outside of my boundary fence, but that of my neighbour, so the pics I do take are always a wonder, how good or not they will turn out to be ....
This is the first time I've ever tried to photograph the Dollarbird; it's either up so high in that tree, or fast-swooping in the air nearby to catch insects.
A two-catch-snap
...and this morning, again, one was back; just for a short while.
How did they get this name, Dollarbird? According to Birds in Backyards, it is the silvery, circular patches on the underside of the wings, thought to resemble the American silver dollar coin. Now there's a twist; a New Guinea native, visiting Australia, with the U.S. dollar under it's wing!
You can listen to their call, courtesy of Fred Van Gessel, on the Birds in Backyards fact-page for the Dollarbird. Look for the mp3 in the right-hand column, close to the bottom.
Sharing with The Pine River Review for:
Oh wow this is beautiful. And I would like these birds will visit me with a $$$ under there wing hehe. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYou have some beautiful birds there, Carole! I've never heard of a Dollarbird much less seen one. Nice photos!
ReplyDeleteImpressive looking bird!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteWonderful images Carole.. and lovely blue skies, that I had yesterday.
ReplyDeleteStorm winds today.. what a difference a day makes..xx
very cool! importing currency now - smuggling it, actually, underwing! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful bird. I like the picture of him on the bare branch. I laughed when you said he was visiting Australia from New Guinea with US dollars under his wing.
ReplyDeleteBarb
Very nice photos of the Dollarbirds. I have only seen them on electricty wires up here so I really like your birds in the tree.
ReplyDeleteLovely looking bird...never seen one before.
ReplyDeleteInteresting name for a bird.
What a charming little bird Carole. Thinkyou did a great job capturing it! Lovely! Have never seen one of these in Texas....
ReplyDeleteInteresting name and a pretty bird. Great shots! Thanks for sharing your world bird.
ReplyDeleteyou succeded to get pretty good shots. Nice to see them. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful captures of this pretty bird with the exotic name!
ReplyDeleteHe's gorgeous! Nice shots as well. Quite the international bird, too.
ReplyDeleteWell, I was wondering...thank you for telling how he came by that name. Neat bird. I can see why you got excited.
ReplyDeleteWe have a 'Dollar Bridge' here in Salem, OR...but no 'Dollar Birds'...certainly is a pretty bird!
ReplyDeleteJan
Carole, your photos and your writing are both beautiful!!! You are so talented! Your angophora tree reminded me of eucalyptus trees I've seen in Emily's neighborhood, California. I looked it up and according to wikipedia, it is related. The dollar bird is gorgeous! How wonderful to have this beauty nearby! Thanks for sharing! hugs, Laura Holm
ReplyDeleteHi there - great pictures. I tried to get some similar images last year - they were only fit for the delete button!
ReplyDeleteWell done!
Stewart M - Melbourne
What a lovely bird.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about the name.
Glad you explained it :-)
Cool find -- a very interesting bird!
ReplyDeleteThe last two photos are awesome!
ReplyDeleteI came to see your bird! WOW! You must be totally ecstatic to have captured these shots. They are amazing - truly an interesting bird. I'm glad the American dollar is showing up in fun places.
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for this set of photos - well worth the wait.
;-)
Wonderful series of this gorgeous bird. I've not heard of this bird either but I really think it's quite lovely. - Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting tropical bird with his shimmering feathers. Good captures, lucky he sat on the limbs not in the leaves. Annual visitors are such fun but his 'song' is not exactly lark-like.
ReplyDeleteThanks for including the link to his call in case I ever come across one.
This is a beautiful bird that I have never heard of. Oh to have breakfast outside when here it is cold and so, so windy. Just the thought of sun might warm me up. Hopeful there.
ReplyDeleteFascinating bird, Carole! Wonderful photos, particularly the first and the last shots. It's a pity that the Birds in the Backyard page doesn't show a bird in flight with the characteristic dollar coins on the underwing!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful photographs Carole!
ReplyDeleteI especially love the last one here.
Wonderful Dollarbird,Carole! I have never seen one. How exciting.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love the WBW meme??? I am always on the lookout for new birds. I think this week I have finally finished posting the birds I captured on my holiday to my parents in early December!!
Impressive post Carole. The Dollar bill bird is a new one on me, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Oh, I just knew it would be something cool! Love that first photo! It sure is an interesting color. Then when I saw the ones where it's perched on the stump of a tree way up high, I thought of an American eagle. They do that also. How interesting the tie instead to the American dollar! Well, we have to edge in where ever we can! Ha!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your patience in trying to catch this bird in photos for us! --Sharyl
What a great post Carole. A very cool bird the Dollarbird! You got some wonderful shots of it with its cool blue tones and contrasting beak.
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