Photo: Siobhan Motherway Source: Museum Victoria
Two beautiful Sacred Kingfishers have come into the Discovery Centre in the last few days - sudden and unexplained demises, and both found in local backyards. Their passing won't go unremarked or wasted - they'll go into the ornithology collection, and may be turned into study skins or mounted specimens, for the use of researchers. Artists too, for that matter - we often have illustrators, sculptors and even jewellers coming in to access specimens from our collection for their studies and inspiration.
Photo: Siobhan Motherway Source: Museum Victoria
The beautiful plumage of these birds would seem to render them too glamorous for a suburban lifestyle, but in fact, these birds are widely distributed throughout Australia, in all but the most arid zones.
Keep an eye out for a flash of brilliant blue and turquoise in your backyard - you may be lucky enough to see one of these beautiful creatures.
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