New bird species for our garden list

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

I was sitting outside yesterday morning doing some reading. (Oh the joys of retirement.)

I was suddenly aware of an unusual bird call. After having lived for over 25 years in the same house one’s ears become attuned to what bird calls are normal for this area and anything unusual immediately gets my attention.

I walked warily around the corner of the house to find two Sulphur-crested Cockatoos in the large mallee tree next to our garage.  This cockatoo is a common bird in many parts of Australia, but this was the first time I’d seen this species in our garden. After so many years I don’t often get the chance to add a new species to my garden list.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

After I managed several photos they decided they’d posed enough for me and flew off to the eucalyptus trees in our neighbour’s front yard. Later in the morning I heard them squawking raucously as they flew off.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are very common in the Adelaide Hills and the Adelaide metropolitan area but I’ve never recorded them here in Murray Bridge. The nearest I’ve seen them is in Strathalbyn, about a half hour drive SW of here.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo