The cutest bird in the Mallee??
/Our little semi-mascot has flown the coop… or should I say more accurately, it has left our shed.
I have to admit I am pretty gutted. I mean, we all know that at some point all good things must come to an end but Owlet-nightjars are just so bloody cute! When we first realised that Max (Max Floof aka Max Cuteness… could be Maxine or Maximillian) had moved into an old piece of downpipe in the rafters of our big shed, we assumed it would be a very short-lived arrangement. That was not to be the case though as it was in residence for nearly two wonderful years, sigh. Australian Owlet-nightjars are smaller than their photos often suggest - for scale, this downpipe is probably 9 or 10cm in diameter - but they really are a delightful little bird; looking like the offspring of a Tawny Frogmouth and a Sugar Glider with a hint of Jim Henson inspired styling thrown in for good measure. At one time it was undoubtedly the most photographed Owlet-nightjar in Victoria.
It had been a few months at least of not even hearing them at night; but in the past couple of weeks we have been hearing their distinctive calls again (for those not aware, they are a nocturnal bird) so who knows, maybe it will take up its old haunt again. Fingers crossed!