Dollar Bird (Eurystomus orientalis ) by stuart83
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Description
Description
The Dollarbird visits Australia each year to breed. It has mostly dark brown upperparts, washed heavily with blue-green on the back and wing coverts. The breast is brown, while the belly and undertail coverts are light, and the throat and undertail glossed with bright blue. The flight feathers of the wing and tail are dark blue. The short, thick-set bill is orange-red, tipped with black. In flight, the pale blue coin-shaped patches towards the tips of its wings, that gave the bird its name, are clearly visible. Both sexes are similar, although the female is slightly duller. The distinctive, harsh "kak-kak-kak" call is repeated several times, and is often given in flight.
Young Dollarbirds are duller than the adults and lack the bright blue gloss on the throat. The bill and feet are brownish in colour instead of red.
The Dollarbird is the sole Australian representative of the Roller family, so named because of their rolling courtship display flight.
Distribution and Habitat
The Dollarbird arrives in northern and eastern Australia in September each year to breed. In March or April the birds return to New Guinea and adjacent islands to spend the winter. In Australia, it inhabits open wooded areas, normally with mature, hollow-bearing trees suitable for nesting.
Food and feeding
Dollarbirds feed almost exclusively on flying insects. They search for food from a conspicuous perch and then capture it in skilful aerial pursuits, before returning to the same perch. Occasionally, Dollarbirds have been seen feeding on grasshoppers on the ground, although this practice is uncommon.
Breeding
In Australia, the Dollarbird's breeding season is between October and January. During this time pairs are often seen flying in characteristic rolling flights. These flights are more common in the evening, and are accompanied by cackling calls. The three to four white eggs are laid in an unlined tree hollow and are incubated by both adults. The young birds are also cared for by both parents. The same nesting site may be used for several years.
This not a great photo, this bird was a long distance away & had to use an extender and manually focus, first time I have ever seen this breed before.
Thanks for looking,
Stuart
Comments (13)
aljaysart
Beautiful Bird excellent capture well done.
lilbiscuit
Wonderful capture of this beautiful bird.
alhak
I don't think I have seen this guy before..I'll have to keep an eye out for him! wonderful capture
carrotsoup
Great picture.
42n8
He's beautiful. lovely capture.
erlandpil
Nicew capture erland
mairekas
Very beautiful bird and wonderful capture!
MrsLubner
the colors on this bird are so fantastic! you really got a good shot for being so very far away. Lovely.
amlondono
Beautiful shot , Fantastic information , Thanks for sharing , Ana
fredster66
Very beautiful shot!
JaneEden
Awesome bird and fantastic shot, thanks for the intro - Bravo!!
Nuria
Great picture !!
Hawk23
Great shot mate!!