Dr. Vicky Austin

Postdoc Charles Sturt University - lover of female bird vocalisations. Fulbright Scholar Alumni. She/Her

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

The Sherbrooke Lyrebird Study Group and myself banded this little darling today. Look at those glorious dinosaur feet! #fieldwork #lyrebird

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

Excited to share our new paper "Maternal in-nest call structure reduces habituation risk in songbird embryos" - out now in @AvianBiology! Well done team @BirdLabFlinders ! Photo credit: Sonia Kleindorfer https://t.co/C7fcPQemSD #ornithology #femalebirds #fairywrens #birdsong

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

I'm little obsessed with the diversity of fairy-wren nest sites! Acacia, reeds and ferns. All so beautiful! @FairywrenProj #fairywren #femalesong #ornithology #fieldwork #birdsofoz

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

A true privilege to be a part of this new paper led by
@BirdLabFlinders accepted in @ASNAmNat
- "Nestling begging calls resemble maternal vocal signatures when mothers call slowly to embryos" . Congratulations all! #femalesong #fairywrens #femalebirdvocalisations
@femalebirdsong

[Konrad Lorenz Research Center @KLF_UniVienna]

New paper: A mother’s lullaby lays the foundations for learning in songbird embryos! This study puts mothers center stage in the story of when vocal learning begins.
https://t.co/IS3SoB9QWd

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

Found this beauty of a #lyrebird nest this morning, nicely nestled under a rock over hang. There’s about 10kg of sticks and moss there - always amazes me that it can stay put! #ornithology #femalebirdsong

[bioGraphic @bioGraphic]

“If females aren’t using mimicry to attract mates, then how does it evolve?” Join @avianbehaviour and the @LyrebirdLab in Australia’s Blue Mountains in search of one of the world’s greatest mimics: https://t.co/QRGG4La9rL ✍️ @CarlyCassella 📷 @MeghanGLindsay

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

@bidgeewidgee @lyrebirdlab @AmOrnith Hi! They are not monogamous and are competitive during the breeding season so grouping is not common - but can happen. Young males may practice together, resources may be high in that location and attract them. Times of stress may result in it too (e.g., fire). 9 together? Cool!

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

Our new paper is out in @Amornith! We now know that "Preferred nesting habitat of the slow-breeding Superb #Lyrebird is rare and was disproportionately impacted by Australia’s “Black Summer” #megafires (2019–2020).." https://t.co/GyCZaxKZNQ. Congratulations @lyrebirdlab

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

My friend, Bill McQuay’s new podcast is out! Have you heard of the insect apocalypse? Bill takes a look at what the science is really saying - it’s a wonderful listen for people of all ages 😊 #insects #conservation https://t.co/9jIrAw3jkq

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

Was fun to be a part of this article by @CarlyCassella for @bioGraphic! Male #lyrebirds are great...but female lyrebirds are better :D "Rights for females!" Photos by the amazing Meghan Lindsay #ornithology #femalebirdsong

https://t.co/TyCV56x6F7

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

@teamswiftparrot Thank you! Hopefully this knowledge will be helpful for land management/conservation strategies.

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

@bmcsnsw @BMWHI @BirdlifeOz @awconservancy @bmgazette This study was conducted in the Blue Mountains World Heritage area

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

It was such a pleasure to speak at Hunter Bird Observers Club @HunterBirders last night about female vocalisations and female #lyrebirds! You are such a warm, welcoming and passionate group! I hope I can go birding with you all sometime soon! #ornithology

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

What do all these species have in common? Not much except they are all the species I have worked on to date. A PhD completion gift to myself, created by the incredible Freia Wendy https://t.co/MkUzguvrBR To say I’m over the moon would be an understatement 😊 #birds #ornithology

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

Thank you @birderpod ! Was really lovely to talk female birds with you! They may not be as colourful as males but their behaviours are truly fascinating! #femalesong #BirdsOfTwitter #birdwatching

[Fiona Backhouse @fiona_backhouse]

Thanks for having me on the show this morning! It was great to share more about these fabulous animals and the threats to their cultures

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

I have the privilege of working with superb fairy-wrens for the first time. They are glorious! Here is a nest lined with emu feathers - it’s so pretty! @FairywrenProj #femalesong #ornithology

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

I became Doctor Austin today... 6 years... A thesis, first author pubs, early mornings, late nights, a Fulbright Scholarship, documentaries, podcasts, AND, a knee reconstruction, a house, a dog, a baby. Life doesn't stop for a PhD. What a ride! Thank you @lyrebirdlab! #PhDone

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

@RickiCoughlan It sounds beautiful, fingers crossed! I’m hoping with all the rain the predators will be well fed elsewhere haha

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

The #lyrebird breeding season is well and truly underway! This gorgeous female is nice and cosy in her nest, despite all the rain! #fieldwork #femalebirdsong #peekaboo

[Dr. Vicky Austin @avianbehaviour]

@leeland What a handsome boy you have there! You’re so lucky to have them on your property - very jealous