I put Sally to bed then walk down the back as I had a fair idea of where they were and found this very thin looking cocky sitting on top of a cage not far away. I think it was either very old or sick as it didn't fly away when I got close but I loved the way its crest looked against the darkening sky.
As I suspected its friends had gathered in the mandarin tree and took off when they saw me once again but this time they had mandarins in their beaks so the fruit was dropping everywhere as they flew away. The CEO has been wondering why he has been finding mandarins all over the back yard. Now he knows! LOL!
This is where they usually congregate before moving on to the mandarin tree. Some sit on the clothes line and must keep guard ....
...while the others are having a feast.
I counted a dozen on the lawn the other day and then they were chased away by another dozen.
Finally they had had enough of being disturbed and, as it was getting dark....
...they flew off into the sunset. What was it they were eating I hear you say?
Macadamia nuts!
We have three trees and the cockys knock off the nuts onto the ground then come back later on and crack open the shells and eat the nuts inside. They do have expensive taste as macadamia nuts are very expensive to buy.
I did get to rescue some before they arrived but there are actually plenty left which are still on the ground and I have to be careful I don't slip on them when walking outside. I started the tedious task of shelling them today but this is made easier by using a macadamia nut cracker. We bought ours a number of years ago and, if you have access to a macadamia nut tree it is a worthwhile investment and has a lifetime warranty.
I added some nuts to a Whole Orange Cake (with no added sugar) that I baked today. I need to shell a few more to make some macadamia nut meal for another recipe I want to try out. The cockatoos just might have a bit of competition for the nuts in the next few days and I know who will win :-)
They are very crafty birds aren't they? I remember some years ago watching them eat a neighbours passionfruit. They managed to open the hard shell of the fruit with ease, much to my neighbours displeasure.
ReplyDeleteYes they have very strong beaks, Sherri. I wouldn't like to get a nip from one of them. Ouch!
DeleteAren't they excellent foragers? We have the white corellas living in the trees along the creek at the bottom of our place. They go off each day to find a grain farm and feast. Nice macadamia nuts too!
ReplyDeleteBarb, the farmers must dislike them intensely.
DeleteThat is so amazing to have birds that I have only seen one at a time in pet stores - all over your back yard!! Macadamia nuts are expensive - I am somewhat envious - I am trying to remember you said you couldn't grow apples! Makes me feel better!! ;)
ReplyDeleteKathy, we can grow apples here but you have to spray a lot so the CEO cut the tree down.
DeleteHi Chel, love the nut cracker, the kids used to chase the nuts all over the spacer grooves in the pathway with the hammer.....a few sore fingers!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is muffins with white choc, macadamias and raspberries.
Those birds are beautiful to watch but they can be very destructive.
Keep warm !
Yes the nut cracker is so easy to use and so much better than a hammer. LOL!
DeleteIt's amazing how those cockatoos can crack macadamia nuts. I thought I was seeing things when I first saw them cracking nuts that had fallen into our yard from our neighbour's tree. Those birds also help themselves to my passionfruit and fly off with them 😒
ReplyDeleteThey are quite amazing birds but very destructive unfortunately.
Deletethis is the first year they haven't been in my lemon tree, have had some lovely lemons off my tree for some months now but the neighbour isn't as lucky, he has a lot more fruit trees over there, does espalier trees, at the moment the cockatoos are loving his oranges!
ReplyDeleteI never realised they ate citrus fruit till I saw them in the mandarin tree, Selina. Pesky things they are.
DeleteI agree with the destructive part nanna chel we had some descend on us in the autumn, they totally destroyed the finial on our roof and had a pretty good go at the arbour the roses are trained on. When my husband priced up timber to repair the damage it is going to cost several hundred dollars. We certainly don't mind them going after food but this is just destruction. I can see why some farmers wouldn't be happy with them.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Goodness me, I didn't realise they would do that. That is awful, Susan.
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