Corellas are fairly common and are particularly noisy at dusk when going through their bedtime routine. I didn’t get a chance to photograph them, though, until I was on my way to the supermarket in Jabiru. Jabiru’s the largest – uh, the only – town in Kakadu National Park. Like many towns that have grown as administrative centres, it has a slightly expanded feel about it, as if someone drew the town plan on an elastic sheet and stretched it by pulling at the corners. Supermarket, medical centre and other civic amenities were laid out in a spacious grassy area – and a flock of Corellas were enjoying the facilities. Fortunately the roads were also considerably wider than they needed to be, so I could stop and watch them from the car.
The Corellas were feeding on long thin seed pods. Clearly their motto was one foot good …
… but two feet better:
An alternative to finding the seed pods yourself seemed to be to sidle up to a flock-mate who was attempting to subdue one on the ground, and try and put your own foot down on it:

The Corellas look great fun to watch. Would have loved to see one doing a somersault too. Though I agree the blue/bald patch around their eyes aren't all they could be. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all.
ReplyDeleteIs that "kiss and make up" in the last photo!
I wonder where we're going next? Looking forward to it, where ever it is. :O)
chp
chp,
ReplyDeleteI wondered how much of all the behaviour was some kind of courtship - maybe the somersaults were just showing off to the girls :-)