Saturday 12 November 2011

Turbo Chooks

In September I was lucky enough to go to Launceston, Tasmania for a conference. I wasn't there all that long, but had a very enjoyable few days, and got to see some new birds.

Tasmania is a funny (small) place, and I was lucky enough to have the same cab driver 3 times! The second time was planned, but the third time was pure luck. Anyway, Paul told me that Tasmanians call these birds Turbo Chooks (turbo because they run really fast, chook is Australian for chicken). More properly called the Tasmanian Native Hen (Gallinula morterii). They were certainly plentiful in the nice lake across the road from the conference centre, and also by roadways. Turbo Chooks used to be common on the mainland too, but sadly went the way of most flightless birds when man, and their accompanying predators move in.









After a day or so (yes I'm very quick sometimes), I realised that some were juveniles.








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16 comments:

  1. Parisbreakfasts12 November 2011 at 21:42

    I don't think I'd ever figure out some were juveniles.
    They look like fun.
    Tasmania sounds so exotic...
    And very far away

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  2. Trish12 November 2011 at 22:37

    They look like compact chickens :) They have a great name, too. 'Turbo Chook' - heh love that.

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  3. (Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea13 November 2011 at 00:46

    Love the long skinny legs LOL cute.

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  4. gautami tripathy13 November 2011 at 01:01

    So sweet..!!

    Here is my Saturday Snapshot post!

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  5. Laurel-Rain Snow13 November 2011 at 01:11

    I love the sound of Tasmania...and this chooks are intriguing. Thanks for sharing.

    Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT and
    MY WEBSITE

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  6. Anonymous13 November 2011 at 01:51

    Your first photo is a good profile, showing its markings. Turbo Chooks, hmm. I've learned something new.

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  7. Nise' 13 November 2011 at 01:52

    They look like they need to grow into their feet!

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  8. bermudaonion13 November 2011 at 03:26

    Interesting! I'm going to have to see if I can find a video of them running.

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  9. Anne@HeadFullofBooks13 November 2011 at 03:43

    Very interesting looking bird.

    Anne@My Head is Full of Books

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  10. Sheila (Bookjourney)13 November 2011 at 04:12

    LOL - I love that you call some juveniles :)

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  11. Alyce13 November 2011 at 04:21

    They are very cute! Thanks for sharing the photos and story with us!

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  12. Leslie (Under My Apple Tree)13 November 2011 at 07:17

    The youngsters are adorable with their cute little baby faces.

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  13. Unknown13 November 2011 at 08:01

    Turbo Chook is a great name! I guess their long skinny legs help them run fast! In the first couple of photos the turbo chooks have very red eyes, so unique. In the 5th and 6th photos there are 2 chicks but only one bird in each has the red eyes, I wonder if that is a sign of its gender?!

    It's sad that they aren't common on the mainland anymore

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  14. Lady In Read13 November 2011 at 09:45

    Tasmania is on my to visit list. My son was researching the Tasmanian Devil just last week as part of a project. The Turbo Chook looks very interesting.

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  15. Pooch13 November 2011 at 12:11

    Very elegant demeanor--wonderful looking birds.

    :)

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  16. Marie14 November 2011 at 02:37

    Nice photos. The birds are cute, in an odd way. I'd love to visit Tasmania.

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Thank you for commenting.