Hybrid plane-birds

Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s …

Actually, it’s both. A bird and a plane, and two of them – courtesy of Villawood sculptor Folko Kooper.

The hybrid plane-birds are perched five metres above the ground at Armstrong’s Aviation Drive park – the latest additions to the raft of Folko’s works peppered throughout the community there.

“They’re inspired by the local birdlife and the fact Armstrong used to be an airport,” Folko says.

Other Armstrong works by the Tasmanian-based artist include giant pelicans, wedge-tailed eagles, parrots and birdhouses.

The squadron of pelicans, in wetlands beside the birdhouses, are headed by a triumvirate of elegant creatures perched high above the ground; one in a maternal clutch with her chick, one at rest and another in a laughing fit.

They’re gorgeous artistic additions to the riparian surroundings of reeds, H2O, ducks, coots and some 60 species of birdlife in the area.

Spying fish, diving for fish, scoffing fish or squatting fat and full after the job, these pelicans are glorious russetcoloured fixtures in the Armstrong precinct.

They’re great exploring missions for kids on school holidays at the moment.

Armstrong’s resident club is looking good right now, too, for owners corporation members looking to keep the little ones busy.

The pool is just perfect, with the water temperature a balmy 25 degrees. The gym is fully equipped, the café is relaxing and a tastebud tempter, while the adventure park is loaded with challenges and erg-burning swings, tunnels, climbing frames and giant flying fox.

And stay tuned for a special birdlife database Villawood will soon be getting together with the Armstrong community.

It will look at all the species in the area with special information about bird activities.

So keep an eye and an ear out for what tweets and squawks on your patch.

Species we know already include fantail cuckoos, sulphur-crested cockatoos, galahs, parrots, red-rumped parrots, rainbow lorikeets, royal spoonbills, and dotterels. And there are lots more.