Bird watchers Channel

Your favourite

2 years ago | [YT] | 3

Budgerigar (male) with young
Melopsittacus undulatus

One of the more incredible sightings on my first trip to Alice Springs with James White was this breeding hollow that appeared to be housing multiple families. The hollow was at Jessie Gap, about 3 metres above a set of table & chairs, in a tree that had several active hollows. All of the budgies in this particular area were basically oblivious to the continuous visitors whom passed right under their hollow on the walk through the gap, the budgies going about their business unperturbed.

James spotted an adult coming into this hollow while I was staking out a bowerbird's bower. The chicks would come right out to the entrance in an attempt to be the first to get a feed. Surprisingly, over the course of a three days, we saw multiple chicks of varying ages being fed. Sometimes the youngest of the chicks, the smaller, featherless grey chick pictured (there were at least two), would come out by themselves. Other times the elder, feathered birds would come out. Then very occasionally, it seemed to be a bit of a free-for-all when both ages would fight for a feed. The parents seemed to manage to ensure everyone was fed!

Another brilliant experience from the centre of Australia!

#budgerigar #budgies #australianbirds #birdsofaustralia #birdsofoz