Pied Butcherbird, adolescent
A year ago this female Butcher Bird (I called her Miss Smarty Feathers) was a fledgling in stiff competition with her father and brothers to get any food put out for her family. I favoured her, made sure she had more than her share and she learned to come inside to be further indulged.
A year on and she has three new siblings to compete with, and still she is a smart bird. She sits on a garden chair at my back door where she sings a repertoire of songs to call me. These days she's transiting to adulthood, her feathers are changing colour and soon she will be black and white.
Pied Butcherbird, adolescent
A year ago this female Butcher Bird (I called her Miss Smarty Feathers) was a fledgling in stiff competition with her father and brothers to get any food put out for her family. I favoured her, made sure she had more than her share and she learned to come inside to be further indulged.
A year on and she has three new siblings to compete with, and still she is a smart bird. She sits on a garden chair at my back door where she sings a repertoire of songs to call me. These days she's transiting to adulthood, her feathers are changing colour and soon she will be black and white.