An Australian Boobook fast asleep in an artificial nest box.
Spotting an owl was one of my 2026 wishes, and now I wish the world were a little kinder to these nocturnal friends. SGARs, which cause secondary poisoning in owls and other birds of prey, are gradually being pulled from retailer shelves. Despite the small win, the fight for survival is far from over.
...from how cute this White-winged Fairywren is. He is not trapped. He is okay. But why does he look so serious.
Scarlet Robin when I look at them: "Absolutely not. Terrifying. I must escape immediately."
Scarlet Robin when they decide to look at me: "Greetings. May I stand here and stare at you? Excellent. You may also admire my delightfully rotund figure from every angle."
Not that I'm complaining. They are normally quite skittish.
A sub-adult female Baudin's Black Cockatoo taking flight to follow its parents at sunset. Spotted at the Swan Valley, WA.
Lately, it seems like every young black cockatoo around Perth is being weaned at the same time. I hear lots of noisy begging but the parents rarely give in.
A pair of Red-browed Finches gathering nesting material in Gidgegannup, WA. They were making nonstop supply runs, each carrying something different for the build.
The only reason I spotted them was because one flew past trailing a long blade of fresh grass like an oversized streamer. They were very busy.
Carnaby's Black Cockatoos feeding on parrot bush in North Beach, WA. We're now in Makuru, the Noongar season of fertility. The first heavy rains triggered a flush of banksia flowers, and the black cockies are making the rounds at the local bush buffet.
A couple of them were particularly curious, edging closer to investigate the mysterious click-clack of my camera shutter.
Edit: Sighting location.
A Square-tailed Kite gliding over the canopy of Perth Hills. What a great looking bird with those distinctive barred 'fingers'!
It was being a very generous model by circling really low to investigate me and a young family close by. Unfortunately, I was fumbling around for my gear... The lesson learnt here is that the camera should be ready as soon as one gets out of the car.
Seen from Zig Zag Scenic Drive. The air was hazy so the city looks desaturated. I might take a photo from the same spot every year and report back in 2030.
A very chatty male Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, one of three sentinels watching over a flock of ~15. I'd love some input from anyone familiar with their vocalisations and behaviour.
The "cher-ri-ri-ri-rip" chuckle is quite different from the species' standard "wee-loo" and "wy-lah" cries. I can only guess at its meaning, but it seemed to signal safety and food availability. Almost every bird flew in to inspect me while feeding on the surrounding parrot bush.
One late-arriving flock member spooked everyone because we were all so busy watching each other. Once they realised nothing was wrong, they returned to resume the standoff for another 10 minutes. The gentle curiosity is pretty endearing. Easily one of the smartest and funniest Australian birds in my book.
A Grey Fantail showing off how it got its name. They are curious birds and will often follow birdwatchers, picking off insects we inadvertently disturb. Unfortunately for me, they also seem to materialise exclusively around deep shade and dense foliage.
One day I'll get the shot. Today is not that day.
A family of Splendid Fairywrens in the Perth Hills. I suspect I'm always seeing the same flock. They are very inquisitive and melt my heart every single time.
It's always fun watching the busy family bouncing around their little patch of bush. I'll post more photos once the lads have suited up in their shining blue armour in breeding season.
Just some Splendid Fairywrens enjoying quality allopreening time.
A female Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo having lunch in the Perth Hills. There was an immature bird nearby begging as though it hadn't eaten in weeks, while an adult male (presumably her mate) kept watch over everything.
Despite the dramatic cries for assistance, she sat there cracking gum nuts at her own pace. My guess is they're in the middle of weaning junior.
A final look inside the fabled Warehouse Kawasaki before it closed its doors forever in 2019. The world entered the 'new normal' a few months after its closure.
A lot of love went into creating the Cyber Kowloon Walled City. It was surreal seeing pieces of Hong Kong given a second life in Japan.
Council House illuminated to mark the 50th anniversary of the Australia-Japan Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. I believe this projection started just a few days ago. Looked quite nice in real life.
A White-breasted Robin looking for breakfast. You can see it belting the absolute daylights out of a worm after the first photo. The pursuit of quality, al dente spaghetti has driven many of us to dark places.
This curious male Splendid Fairywren decided I was worth investigating and marched right up to my feet. Most birds take one look at my terrifying forward-facing eyes and wish they were in another postcode, but not this fella. He was very brave.
Third image has honkey (Marri) nuts for scale to show how tiny he is. The photos aren't much technically, but it was a special moment.
A Carnaby's Black Cockatoo drinking from a puddle beside the curb, barely visible in the fading light. It's easy to see why they often get wiped out by cars.
I shooed him away when there was no traffic. He then flew over to join his mates drinking from a roof gutter, where they all took turns giving me the side-eye.
Black cockies prefer drinking from clean, shallow water close to their roost sites. In suburbia this often means a dip in the road. That's one reason to have birdbaths: not just as hydration stations, but as a safer alternative to roadside puddles.
A Yellow-billed Spoonbill preening itself around sunset.
Hygiene, mate attraction and all the sensible, utilitarian reasons aside, I honestly reckon a lot of birds just genuinely enjoy the ritual of it.
An Australian Ringneck. Very curious, and very right-footed - which is unusual for parrots!
I love how parrots in general hold their food. They always look like little flautists, upper society types holding champagne flutes, or antique appraisers inspecting a curio. It's great.