Welcome to another episode of The Weekly Bird Wrap by Neil Hermes where I recap some of the most amazing stories and facts about birds across the nation and from all over the world! 🌍
If you missed the last episode, go ahead and click this page.
This week, I’m covering three amaze-wing stories for you.
Wedge-Tailed Eagles in Tasmania
The Aquila audax fleayi, or Wedge-tailed Eagle, is the largest bird of prey in Australia. It is distinguished by its size and wedge-shaped tail. The Wedge-tailed Eagle preys on a wide variety of animals, including reptiles, birds, and mammals. It can be found in a variety of habitats, from the coast to highland areas.
An amateur photographer was in the right place at the right time when he captured nine wedge-tailed eagles in one shot.
Moulting in Birds
A feather is a “dead” structure, analogous to hair or nails in humans, and made of the same basic ingredient, the protein keratin. This means that when they get damaged, feathers can’t heal themselves—they have to be completely replaced. This process of replacing of all or some of the feathers is called moulting.
While molting can happen gradually or all at once, most birds molt in a process called partial replacement: They lose some feathers and grow new ones simultaneously. This ensures that they always have some functioning flight feathers, even as the rest of their plumage is in various stages of growth.
Where are the Latham’s Snipes Now?
Latham’s snipe is a type of wading bird that breeds in the northern half of Japan. They are most commonly found on Hokkaido, the southern half of Sakhalin Island, and the adjacent Russian mainland and Kuril Islands. Individuals begin to arrive in Japan in late March or April, with a peak in mid-May, and the last birds arrive in June.
New Tour: Albatross Watching from Jervis Bay Tour
Loved my bird tour content? Well, Nothing beats being there on the spot, watching the birds!
Meet nature’s most extraordinary seabirds up close – Welcome to the Albatross Watching from Jervis Bay Tour by Neil Hermes.
Saturday 13 August
Jervis Bay
$245 – Early bird special ends on 30 April! Book now before the price increase.
The waters off the south coast are a sea bird-watching paradise in the winter months, especially for many species of albatross. These magnificent birds come close to the coast at this time of the year after their summer breeding on Antarctic islands.
Come & join me for the best viewing opportunities for pelagic birds, whales, turtles, and dolphins.
Book now. Click here to find out more information.
