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A studio for bird study

May 18, 2013

Red-tailed Hawk- Buteo jamaicensis

by Bryce W. Robinson

Red-tailed Hawk- Buteo jamaicensis. 12x16" prismacolor on bristol

Red-tailed Hawk- Buteo jamaicensis. 12×16″ prismacolor on bristol

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Many parrots in Australia (families Psittaculidae and Cacatuidae) can be found grazing in open fields in large numbers. It’s something that gives this place its character, and something I try not to take for granted. One such open-lands grazer is the Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus). These individuals here were in the fields just outside the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment at Western Sydney University.

Quick sketch of my focus for the past few months - a singing Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae).

For the past two weeks I’ve been capturing Superb Lyrebirds. I really appreciate birds in the hand, because it provides a unique perspective and opportunity to study their plumage in detail. These pheasant-like passerines have such a subtle elegance that I look forward to representing through illustration. Thanks to Tane Sinclair-Taylor @tanetangaroa for the photos of the fieldwork, and @katianicolet and @kelsielopez for the help!

Here are a few more highlights from the southeast Australia pelagic last weekend - White-capped Albatross (Thalassarche steadi), Buller’s Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri), Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche carteri), Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli), Providence Petrel (Pterodroma solandri), Grey-faced Petrel (Pterodroma gouldi), and Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus).

Superb Lyrebirds are one of many species where both males and females sing. Here a female preens after a night in her nest, and occasionally counter-sings in response to a singing female nearby. @cornellbirds @macaulaylibrary

While on the water off southeast Australia, I was treated to four species of ‘Mollymawks’, a group of smaller Albatross belonging to the Genus Thalassarche. The most numerous of these were the Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris). In this species, it takes up to six years for birds to reach an adult appearance. Immature birds have dark bills that progressively lighten with age until they reach the clean, pink-orange bill of an adult.

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