Peewee, Magpie-lark, Cairns, Queensland, Australia

A shot from the first full day of my wonderful 3 weeks in Queensland.

Here we have the delicate and delightful Magpie-lark, (Grallina cyanoleuca), affectionately known as the Peewee, singing her little heart out!

This was taken just behind the Esplanade in Cairns

A relatively plain bird compared to many in Australia, but with a charm far bigger than their size!

More to come if I get time to wade through my shots this weekend

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/jpe_bennett/9​625478697/

Very nice

Many thanks, John
They are a really charming bird

James

That is an interesting looking fellow. Great Job

Much appreciated, Jeff

James

Nice shot James.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #16256121
Nice shot James.

Thanks Lester

Nothing plain about him, he's beautiful! Nice job!

SJC from VT wrote in post #16256570
Nothing plain about him, he's beautiful! Nice job!

Much appreciated SJC

Striking bird!

Flo wrote in post #16256690
Striking bird!

Isn't she just, Flo

She was in full song when I took this and wonderful to see

Is it odd for them to be on the ground singing? Usually see the songsters in the high.

Flo wrote in post #16256722
Is it odd for them to be on the ground singing? Usually see the songsters in the high.

Hi Flo, to be honest I am not sure as I was only in Australia for 3 weeks
What I do know is that despite the name they are not larks, who do sing in flight.
They are also one of the few birds which sing in complex duets with their partner (they mate for life) as a territorial thing rather than alone to attract a mate, so I suspect that if their mate starts a song in the air, they will continue the duet whether in the air or on the ground

Sorry I can't give a more definitive answer!

James