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Crested Shrike-titAlternative names: "Eastern Shriketit", "Barktit", "Yellow-hammer", "Frontal Shriketit", "Falcon-shrike" |
Sightings
Spotted by us for the first time in April 2006, 20 km south of Narrabri, New South Wales - if it had not been for the characteristic sound of tearing bark, we would have missed noticing a male Crested Shrike-tit high up in a tree. Seen again in the same area in November 2006.
In November 2006 also seen on the eastern side of the great dividing range, in Dorrigo National Park, northern New South Wales.
Also sighted in March 2007, 30 km north of Coonabarabran.
In January 2008 first spotted 30 km east of Narrabri, in the foothills of the Nandewar Range. Here the calls of a male marking its territory were heard. Repeated sightings throughout January/February 2008 in the same area. Heard and seen again in the same area in early August 2008 and then throughout the summer of 2008/09.
Photos
Male Crested Shrike-tit (race "frontatus") 20 km south of Narrabri, New South Wales
Another male, spotted 30 km north of Coonabarabran
Lateral view of the same bird displaying its crest
Frontal view from below of a female Crested Shrike-tit "frontatus"; note the olive-brown throat, as opposed to the male's black throat (click on image for larger version)
The same female bird as above, slightly different viewing angle (click on image for larger version)
Female bird seen from behind (click on image for larger version)
Here a female Crested Shrike-tit foraging through the bark of a eucalypt tree (click on image for larger version)