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Australian Hobby |
Sightings
During the winter of 2005 a juvenile Australian Hobby appeared at our place, 20 km south of Narrabri, New South Wales. It was obviously still practicing its skills. When hunting a Red-rumped Parrot, it forgot to flap its wings to maintain airlift, which led to a sudden drop in altitude, right into a bucket standing next to our chook pen. With its wingtips sticking out of the bucket, the bird had to topple the bucket first before getting out again. Below happier times, when it was sitting on our power line.
Spotted again in April and July 2007 20 km east of Narrabri.
Also observed by us in different locations on a trip to outback NSW and South Australia, in March 2008. One of the photos below was taken 50 km north of Hawker, SA.
Photos
Frontal view of a juvenile Australian Hobby (click on image for larger version)
Juvenile Australian Hobby on our power line, frontal view (click on image for larger version)
Juvenile Australian Hobby on our power line, lateral view (click on image for larger version)
Another Australian Hobby in bright sunlight, seen 20 km north of Narrabri in September 2006
Australian Hobby(?) in flight
Australian Hobby(?) in flight