2009/11/24

The Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata) or Mähnengans

This delicate ducks are the only surviving species in the genus Chenonetta and this has nothing to do with my incalculable  golf shots, although they are in constant danger to be hit by golf balls at their favourite hangout the 7th hole at Huskisson golf course. A group of about ten of these birds gather regularly on the green of this par 3 challenge, with a nasty creek to hit over and a bunker on the right that seems to have magnetic power over my golf balls. Once you make it on to the green, of course via the detour of the sandy bunker, you are greeted by their gentle hissing and the males try to impress you with the display of their mane like tuft. Their effort to scare you away is more cute than alarming and no excuse for bad putting and yet another bogey. Generally I don’t blame birds for my pathetic golf handicap though I have to say they are plenty of interesting species that populate the local courses. At the mentioned Huskisson golf course you are warned of the danger of swooping Kookaburras (see BOTW #11) by big signs but the one occasion where I suspect animals to have removed my perfectly positioned ball on the green I blame a gang of eastern grey kangaroo that was grazing there. But that’s another story.

Next week: The Galah or a parrot that’s a bit cuckoo.