Wrapping up this year’s Weekly Bird Wrap, Neil shares four final stories for the year.
If you missed last week’s episode, head over to this page.
A new discovery about the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
When hummingbirds sleep, they go into a hibernation-like state called Torpor (pronounced as TOR-PER). This is really deep sleep.
Their metabolism will lower to one-fifteenth (1/15) of normal. Their breathing will slow and it looks like they have stopped breathing. By sleeping like this, hummingbirds can save up to 60% of their available energy as they prepare for migration.
A sad story covering the death of birds of prey
Increase in illegal bird of prey killings during the lockdown.
Please remember – we are in a climate and nature emergency. All land must be managed legally and sustainably so we do not accelerate the worrying loss of wildlife we are already experiencing. Let’s do our part!
Killing or injuring a bird of prey is punishable by law.
Let’s look at one of Australia’s most loved birds, the Weebill
Probably Australia’s smallest bird by length, Weebill has a strong, clear whistling call, loud for the size of the bird. This frequent bright call is normally the first indication of its presence.
Will Wisdom, the Albatross return this year?
Wisdom, the albatross, who has survived tsunamis, outlived most of her mates and is estimated to be 70 years old. Seventy never looked so good!
Learn more about her by watching the full video.
Norfolk Island Tour on September 02-09, 2022
Loved my bird tour content? Well, Nothing beats being there on the spot, watching the birds!
Join me and my brother, Michael Hermes on a personalised journey through Norfolk Island’s history, amazing wildlife, and stunning scenery drawing on the knowledge and memories from my time as a Norfolk Island National Parks Officer and Michael’s background as an archaeologist working in places such as the Northern Territory, Tasmania, and Queensland. You can book through this page.
I am very excited to see you all on this tour!
