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Willie WagtailAlternative names: "Black-and-white Fantail", "Shepherd's Companion", "Wagtail", "Frogbird", "Morning-bird","Gossipbird", "Messengerbird" Aboriginal names: "jitta jitta" [bibbulbum], "jenning-gherrie", "mugana" "tityarokan", "deereeree", "dhirriirrii" [yuwaalaraay], "dhirridhirri" [gamilaraay] |
Sightings
Willie Wagtails "own" the place where we lived until 2006, south of Narrabri, New South Wales. They were in our garden almost all year round and bred in the trees around the house, sometimes more than one couple within 20 m distance of each other.
There is also a resident family where we live since 2007, 20 km east of Narrabri.
Also sighted on a trip to the east of the dividing range, in the area from Armidale to Dorrigo, New South Wales. In July 2009 also spotted in various locations in central QLD.
Seen by us also on a trip to outback NSW and South Australia in March 2008, basically everywhere we went.
Photos
Willie Wagtail on a fence, looking out over a paddock for insects (click on image for larger version)
Willie Wagtail on the lawn in our garden, making use of the local water supply (click on image for larger version)
Close-up lateral view of a Willie Wagtail (click on image for larger version)
Frontal view of a Willie Wagtail challenging the photographer (click on image for larger version)
Here a Willie Wagtail that has specialised into hunting insects standing in the shallow waters of a creek (click on image for larger version)
Adult Willie Wagtail feeding a young one with an insect (click on image for full-size display)
In the photos below we present a "new species", the Willie No-Wagtail!
It is unclear why, but this (adult!) Willie Wagtail had
no tail in the middle of September 2007, right in the
breeding season. This fellow was actually just building
its nest when we came across it. The complete absence of
a tail led to a flight pattern that is entirely different
from other birds of the species. Naturally, the characteristic
wagging was also absent. What all this may suggest is that
even without a tail and a wag a Willie Wagtail can still
successfully attract a breeding partner.
Lateral view of an adult Willie Wagtail without a tail (click on image for larger version; slightly out of focus)
Frontal view of the same bird as above
Potentially deadly mistake by an immature Willie Wagtail (click on image for larger version); the bird scabbed an insect out of a spider's web, but could not free itself of the web anymore (it was rescued by a friendly helper, who had to drag the webbing off its plumage and feet)
Fledgling Willie Wagtail (click on image for larger version)
Nest
The nest of a Willie Wagtail is nothing more than a cup glued onto a horizontal branch or similarly suitable object. In the cup they raise typically three chicks, which - when growing up - have a hard time staying inside or balancing on the edges of the nest without falling out. As soon as possible they will venture out onto the branch.
View from above into a Willie Wagtail's nest (click on image for larger version)
Here a view of the three chicks that hatched out of the eggs shown below, in the same nest as shown above (click on image for larger version)
Photo illustrating the size of a Willie Wagtail's nest; the adult bird protrudes over the rim on both sides (click on image for larger version)
An overcrowded nest in a dead tree in our former neighbour's billabong
Willie Wagtail's nest with three chicks; they are too big to all fit into the tiny cup, so the first and most daring starts to venture out, even while the parents are calling a warning (click on photo for larger version)
Eggs
View onto the three eggs inside a nest (click on image for larger version)
Habits
Willie Wagtails are used by other bird species as "sentries". When their alarm call is heard, other birds will leave the area.
They are the most fiercely territorial birds in the area where we live. During the breeding season of the Willie Wagtails no Magpie-larks, Butcherbirds, Australian Magpies or Pied Currawongs are tolerated in the area. Even birds as large as Australian Ravens are hustled by Willie Wagtails to a degree that they prefer to leave rather than put up with the nuisance. We even have seen Willie Wagtails swooping on birds of prey the size of kites. Want to see the extremes that Willie Wagtails go to? See below.
Willie Wagtail hustling a Wedge-tailed Eagle at great height
During their breeding season Willie Wagtails appear to never sleep. They make themselves heard at any time of the day and night.
While out hunting insects in the paddocks Willie Wagtails often make use of the livestock as perches from which they dive onto the insects disturbed by them.
Willie Wagtail using an Eastern Grey Kangaroo as its perch for hunting insects (click on image for larger version)
Similar to Jacky Winters they stay around us while working in the garden, picking off insects disturbed by us. The difference is that Willie Wagtails will come much closer than Jacky Winters.
The only time during the year when Willie Wagtails make themselves scarce, probably as families disperse prior to the start of the next breeding season, is in winter (June/July).