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Pomatostomus temporalis temporalis
The Grey-crowned Babbler is the largest of Australia's four babbler species, and this is my very first encounter with the species. Lovely masked face, and roughly the same size as a Noisy Miner. The links provide plenty of information on this species. My friends alerted me to this bird's presence, and they were only aware of it because they could hear it chirping away 'quite happily'. I sat with it for quite some time as it was digging and probing the grass for insects. It was a very happy bird, and I felt happy too :-)
Found in open forests and woodlands, favouring inland plains with an open shrub layer, little ground cover and plenty of fallen timber and leaf litter. May be seen along roadsides and around farms. This spotting was in a backyard, the property itself being close to farms and woodlands in the Lockyer Valley.
One of two sub-species, the other being Pomoatostomus temporalis rubeculus, which is found Western Queensland. Couldn't get too close, so the photos aren't the best.
Spotted on Jun 8, 2014
Submitted on Jun 9, 2014
2 Comments
I had never seen one of these birds prior to this spotting. Not the most colourful of birds, but wow, what a personality. This fellow was having a lovely time, and I could have watched him for hours. Can't wait to see another.
Love these! Was hoping to photograph some of the other Babbler species out west but alas no, not this trip.