lara wetlands - adult ♂ barcoo bantam

Your comments and faves are greatly appreciated.

Black-tailed Native-hen (Barcoo Bantam)
Scientific Name: Tribonyx ventralis
Black-tailed Native-hens may be absent from a region for many years, but when the rains come, filling the wetlands and making the conditions suitable for nesting, they may breed up and then they move into new areas in huge numbers, forming remarkable influxes called irruptions. These birds seldom fly, and they mostly run across the landscape, their red legs flashing beneath them, and the effect of seeing thousands and thousands of these birds on the move is like a seeing moving carpet of birds.

Description

The Black-tailed Native-hen is a large, stout, dark, fleet-footed rail with an erect narrow black tail which is held folded. The bird is mainly brownish-grey, with white spots on the flanks. The bill and frontal shield is green, with an orange-red lower mandible ('jaw'). Legs and feet are bright pink. The eye is bright yellow. They are seen in pairs, parties and sometimes large groups.
Similar Species

The Black-tailed Native-hen is similar in size and shape to the Dusky Moorhen, G. tenebrosa, but has a more upright stance. The Dusky Moorhen has a white undertail, a red frontal shield and a yelllow-tipped red bill and yellow legs.

Distribution

The Black-tailed Native-hen is widespread throughout mainland Australia and vagrant in Tasmania and New Zealand.
Habitat

The Black-tailed Native-hen is found near permanent or ephemeral terrestrial wetlands in low rainfall areas, in both fresh or brackish water.

Feeding

The Black-tailed Native-hen eats seeds, plant material and insects. It feeds on open ground near wetlands or at the edge of water and often feeds by running, then stopping, to stir up insects.
Breeding

The Black-tailed Native-hen usually breeds near water in swamps, rank grasses or lignum. It is adapted to breeding rapidly when conditions are favourable. It makes a cup-shaped nest of stalks, twigs and leaves, lined with grasses and feathers. The downy young are greenish-black. Little is known about the behaviour of young birds.
(Source: birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/black-tailed-native-hen)

© Chris Burns 2024
__________________________________________

All rights reserved.

This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying and recording without my written consent.

Taken in: Australia / Queensland / Home Creek (show map)

Taken on: September 21, 2024

Tags:

Black-tailed Native-hen

Barcoo Bantam

bird

Australian bird

fauna

Australian fauna

water bird

nature

outdoors

Nikon D500

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

Lara Wetlands

Barcaldine

Queensland

Australia « less

Sets appears in: • Barcaldine Birds • Birds more » • Lara Wetlands « less

Groups appears in: • Australian Images • Waterfowl more » • Australian Natural • Birds , Birds Birds • Nikon Digital SLRs • Birds in Backyards • Nikon DSLR Users • Australian Wildlife • Queensland • Australian Birds • *I Love Birds* • Flickr Australia • Australian Photographers!!!! • ^ Wildlife of Australia ^ • Outback Australia • My Australia • The Australian Experience • Birds Photos - Check out the new discussions! • Australia on Flickr • World Wildlife • Nikon Rumors • Nikon Nature Photography • Birdshare • Western Queensland • Field Guide to the Birds of Aus • BirdWatching Magazine • Nikon Australia • Nikon - Nature • Australian Nature Photographers • Australian Photoholics - ( www.ausph.com ) • :: | Bird Photography |:: • NIKON D500 CLUB • Best Bird Photographers • Birds of Australia • Audubon magazine • World of Wildlife • Queensland Photographers Australia • Nikon Nature • birds,birds,birds! • The beauty of Australian Nature • Nikon/Nikkor 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR • Nikon D500 User Group • Nikon D500 User's Group • D500 Club • Nikon 200-500 5.6 VR • Australian Photographer • Nikon Wildlife, Flowers and the Beauty of Nature • Birdier • Nikon 200-500 Master Class • Aussie Wildlife (Animals, Birds and Reptiles etc) • Australian Birdlife - Just Simply Aussie Birds - No 30/60 Limit • Australian Photographers over 60 years • "All Australian Album" • Birdingmaps.com • Marshbirds & Allies of the World - Rails, Bitterns, & More Birds « less

Camera: Nikon D500, f/10.0, 1/400 sec, 500mm (=750mm), ISO 125 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D500
Lens:	200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6
Aperture:	f/10.0
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/400)
Focal Length:	500mm (35mm equivalent: 750mm)
ISO:	125
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Saturation:	High
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop 23.5 (Windows)
Show full info

Stats: 2,759 views / 6 comments