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Red Wattlebird |
Sightings
Red Wattlebird are a rare sight west of the dividing range. Until 2005 we had not seen one in the Narrabri area. However, we spotted a few while on tour to the north-east of New South Wales, near Dorrigo and Wollomombi Falls. In October of 2005 finally we heard them cackling, and then spotted them, at Sawn Rocks, which is part of Mount Kaputar National Park. Spotted again 30 km west of Barraba, New South Wales, in April of 2006.
In May 2007 finally also seen outside the eastern dividing range, 20 km east of Narrabri. Not seen again until late September 2007 in Mt. Kaputar Nat'l Park, while only a few weeks earlier, near Barraba, there was no sign of them. After the winter of 2008 reappeared 20 km east of Narrabri in late August.
Photos
View from behind of a Red Wattlebird ("carunculata") (click on image for larger version)
The same bird as above, now with its head turned (click on image for larger version)
Lateral view of a Red Wattlebird ("carunculata") hiding in a Eucalypt tree (click on image for larger version)
Frontal view of a Red Wattlebird ("carunculata") hiding in a Eucalypt tree (click on image for larger version)
Collage of views of a Red Wattlebird ("carunculata") feeding in a Eucalypt tree in our garden, 20 km east of Narrabri (click on image for larger version)
The Red Wattlebird above is feeding on Eucalypt flowers (citriodora) as displayed here (click on image for larger version)