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Cockatiel |
Sightings
Cockatiels are a common sight on the west side of the New South Wales mountain range. They normally appear in flocks of 10-20 and we have encountered them regularly in the Narrabri area. They are quite shy, which makes it difficult to obtain good photos out in the wild.
Cockatiels are permanent residents at the Australia Telescope observatory, 25 km west of Narrabri. Also often found south-east of Narrabri. In April of 2006 there were hundreds near the roadsides of the Horton Valley, New South Wales.
Their call, although usually at a higher pitch, can be mistaken for that of Superb Parrots.
Photos
Pair of Cockatiels (male on the left), perfectly camouflaged for foraging on bitumen... (click on image for larger version)
Here the two feeding (click on image for larger version)
Oi, mate, he's watching us! -- Aaah, never mind, he's harmless... (click on image for larger version)
Here the male's back (click on image for larger version)
Typical view of a male Cockatiel (left) and his lady (right) sitting in a bare treetop