A nasty little secret
You won't believe they have ...24 total reviews
Comment from damommy
We used to sing that song in Girl Scouts many, many years ago. I still catch myself singing every once in a while. I was going to tell you about that when I saw you had posted it in your author's notes.
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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We used to sing that song in Girl Scouts many, many years ago. I still catch myself singing every once in a while. I was going to tell you about that when I saw you had posted it in your author's notes.
Comment Written 27-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Thank you Yvonne for this delightful review. Yes, I put it in the notes because it wasn?t integral to the main story. I?m glad you know the little song too.
Wendy
Comment from JSD
Fascinating. Thank you for sharing this wisdom with the readers. Every day is a school day and I have learnt a whole new raft of facts. How strange the killing of new chicks. Sad that they're not seen as much but glad that you saw some happy ones recently.
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Fascinating. Thank you for sharing this wisdom with the readers. Every day is a school day and I have learnt a whole new raft of facts. How strange the killing of new chicks. Sad that they're not seen as much but glad that you saw some happy ones recently.
Comment Written 27-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Thank you so much for your lovely review. Yes, learning something new from each other is always good.
Wendy
Comment from Julie Lau
Hey, another six! but I couldn't give you less for this well-researched and very informative item on a species of bird which I thought I knew quite well. What an interesting (though seemingly cruel) method of population control!
. jULIE
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Hey, another six! but I couldn't give you less for this well-researched and very informative item on a species of bird which I thought I knew quite well. What an interesting (though seemingly cruel) method of population control!
. jULIE
Comment Written 27-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Thank you very much for the six. I know how precious they are so it is greatly valued. I didn?t know that about them till I did this research, and I was gob-smacked! Great review.
Wendy
Comment from GWHARGIS
Yikes. The hook on the beak and the fact that they kill each other is some Stephen King stuff. But nature is full of "You aren't gonna believe this" moments. Very interesting reading. Gretchen
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Yikes. The hook on the beak and the fact that they kill each other is some Stephen King stuff. But nature is full of "You aren't gonna believe this" moments. Very interesting reading. Gretchen
Comment Written 27-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Thank you Gretchen. I saw a photo of the tiny chicks and they look so vulnerable just with skin and no feathers. The thought of the bigger ones just pecking at their sibling?s tiny head was horrid. Yes, nature is complex, and not always pretty. Thank you so much for reviewing. Glad you enjoyed it.
Wendy
Comment from royowen
We don't seem to have any in the Adelaide suburban area, but more in the eastern states I think, but they are unique and iconic birds, nd their cry is incredibly distinctive, thanks for the info dear Wendy, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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We don't seem to have any in the Adelaide suburban area, but more in the eastern states I think, but they are unique and iconic birds, nd their cry is incredibly distinctive, thanks for the info dear Wendy, blessings Roy
Comment Written 27-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Yes, much more prevalent in the eastern states. Thanks so much for reviewing. Appreciated always.
Wendy
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Most welcome
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I learned something here about these birds that I did not know and I wrote about the Kookaburra in my bird book. I have no idea the siblings would kill each other and they are equipped with a hook in their beak to cause harm. This must be designed in some way to keep the population of Kookaburras to a minimum. I have not known this behaviour in other birds nests but I expect it is survival of the fittest and those weakling chicks never pull through. The harsh realities of wildlife depicted here Wendy. I really enjoyed your write, love Dolly x x x
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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I learned something here about these birds that I did not know and I wrote about the Kookaburra in my bird book. I have no idea the siblings would kill each other and they are equipped with a hook in their beak to cause harm. This must be designed in some way to keep the population of Kookaburras to a minimum. I have not known this behaviour in other birds nests but I expect it is survival of the fittest and those weakling chicks never pull through. The harsh realities of wildlife depicted here Wendy. I really enjoyed your write, love Dolly x x x
Comment Written 27-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Yes, you are right. It apparently means the strongest will survive. Thank you for your very thoughtful and encouraging review. Thank you too for the six stars. Amazing, and very supportive.
Wendy
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
How appropriate - I just finished a run with friends and am now sitting at a Kookaburra Coffee Shop, drinking a latte, and reading about kookaburras!
Do you want "Indigenous people groups"? Or would Indigenous people or Indigenous groups work better?
What's really sad is that future generations will grow up without having ever heard their cheerful sounds because of "progress". I think that's tragic.
Oh, dear, I don't want to think of these sweet little birdies as being so callous! Ouch! And the siblings kill one another - like some humans. Here we have lots of lizards, and the parents eat their young. I guess that's one way of assuring your food source.
This was a fun look at yet another unique animal from your side of the world. Much enjoyed, Wendy.
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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How appropriate - I just finished a run with friends and am now sitting at a Kookaburra Coffee Shop, drinking a latte, and reading about kookaburras!
Do you want "Indigenous people groups"? Or would Indigenous people or Indigenous groups work better?
What's really sad is that future generations will grow up without having ever heard their cheerful sounds because of "progress". I think that's tragic.
Oh, dear, I don't want to think of these sweet little birdies as being so callous! Ouch! And the siblings kill one another - like some humans. Here we have lots of lizards, and the parents eat their young. I guess that's one way of assuring your food source.
This was a fun look at yet another unique animal from your side of the world. Much enjoyed, Wendy.
xo
Pam
Comment Written 27-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Is that coffee shop run by Aussies? I know several Aussies have set up coffee shops in the US but I?m not sure of the locations. But you?re in the right spot to read my story. Thank you for your encouraging comments. We do use that term in full quite frequently here, but I guess it could easily be shortened. I?ll see about it.
Thanks again.
Wendy
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It IS run by a couple from Australia. Not sure how long they've been in St. Augustine, but I do know they still have people there.
Comment from Sarah Tummey
Hi Wendy. I enjoyed reading this. I loved how you hooked the reader in when you kept referring to their nasty little secret, and then eventually revealed it. I've never heard of siblicide before. I wonder if it happens with other birds too. I guess you really can say of a kookaburra that it mellows with age! I quite like a "Riot", but I think a "Giggle of kookaburras" would be better.
By the way, your son's property sounds wonderful, and just how I imagine Australia to be.
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Hi Wendy. I enjoyed reading this. I loved how you hooked the reader in when you kept referring to their nasty little secret, and then eventually revealed it. I've never heard of siblicide before. I wonder if it happens with other birds too. I guess you really can say of a kookaburra that it mellows with age! I quite like a "Riot", but I think a "Giggle of kookaburras" would be better.
By the way, your son's property sounds wonderful, and just how I imagine Australia to be.
Comment Written 27-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Thank you Sarah! Yes, a giggle of kookaburras sounds good. I wonder who decides such things. The term for a group of crows is " a murder of crows"! Thanks so much for the six stars. That?s very encouraging. If people enjoy these stories about our birds and animals I?ll keep going on this theme. I greatly appreciate your support.
Wendy
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I certainly enjoy them. If you decide to keep them up, I'm going to make notes so I can learn all the emblems.
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Actually, I thought I might expand my offering to include all state emblems ( animal, bird, and flower) and then see about publishing them. Do you think FS readers would be interested in reviewing about 20 stories? And do you think tthey would sell if in a book?
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It's a fabulous idea for a short story collection, and the contents page of the book would mean people could look them up quickly if they wanted to. I would review them and I would definitely buy the book, and share about it too. I visited Mum and Dad today. They like birds, but had never heard of a brolga.
Comment from Tom Horonzy
Your chosen subjects make sense to me. Being a foreigner, how would we appreciate the diversity of Australia if it wasn't for you taking us into the brush verbally. Well done. But you knew that.
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Your chosen subjects make sense to me. Being a foreigner, how would we appreciate the diversity of Australia if it wasn't for you taking us into the brush verbally. Well done. But you knew that.
Comment Written 27-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Thank you Tom. I enjoyed your review, and I do enjoy giving a little insight into my homeland.
Wendy
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Nice work. Very interesting.
The month-long maturing process immediately put me in mind of the human experience - all too often, anyway. Without tight control, we skewer one another to death until we mature.
That is quite simply bad manners. Not their little secret. - Of course, this is style and I would be loathe to point it out as error. But it might read better with a comma.
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Nice work. Very interesting.
The month-long maturing process immediately put me in mind of the human experience - all too often, anyway. Without tight control, we skewer one another to death until we mature.
That is quite simply bad manners. Not their little secret. - Of course, this is style and I would be loathe to point it out as error. But it might read better with a comma.
Comment Written 27-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Thank you Wayne, for your thoughtful and honest words. I did change it - if it grates a bit with you then it would with others as well. Sometimes I overdo the short choppy sentences/ phrases. So thank you.
Wendy
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As I said - style. People should be more like their pets, and shut their yaps - no barking!
smiley face here
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I tried to nominate you, but I?ve used up my quota. No, always say what you think. Even if it is style, I like to know how people respond to it.
W