> 1. Lg.-billed vs. Atherton Scrubwren: As with a lot of species, this
>pair looks totally different in Simpson & Day than in Pizzey & Doyle (don't
>have the new Pizzey, YET). According to the descriptions in both, S & D is
>the better illustration--is that right? Are contrast between head & face
>and darkness of the undersides the best field marks. What about eye color?
>tail color? Do they usually sort out by habitat or foraging height?
My recollection (and this goes back to 1973) is that the two species are a
lot easier to tell apart than you might think. The Atherton is a larger
bird with a longer(?), more robust bill and behaves differently, usually
foraging on or near the ground rather than at middle or higher levels as
does the Large-billed.
> 4. Lyrebirds: The illustrations of Albert's & Superb Lyrebirds are much
>more different in P & D than in S & D. Which illustrations are better?
>Any differences in vocal repertoires?
Actually, the easiest way to tell them apart is to check a map - their
ranges are quite separate. Albert's does not sing from a bare display area
on the ground but from a tangle of vines that shake the surrounding
vegetation as he dances.
> 13. Psittacids: My experience with New World psittacids is that they can
>be very difficult--screeching blurs that don't afford very good views. Any
>good strategies for approaching the Aust. psittacids? Learning shapes, for
>example? Is the learning of vocalizations indispensable?
Australia is the one country on the planet, I think, where parrot-watching
is a relative breeze. Remember the flocks of gulls we see in farmer's
fields here in North America? Substitute them for cockatoos of two or
three species and you have a fairly common sight in the interior. A number
of species can be found sitting on telephone wires (eg Red-backed), and in
some forested areas like Lamington NP (which you should not miss) the
Crimson Rosellas should be all over you. Except for a few tricky species
like the Fig Parrot and the @$%# Ground Parrot (guess which of these I
dipped on) you should have no trouble seeing a quite reasonable selection,
and seeing them well.
and, BTW, the expression is not "Good Day". It's "g'day!"
--
Ronald I. Orenstein Phone: (905) 820-7886
International Wildlife Coalition Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116
1825 Shady Creek Court
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2
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