Hello Philip
The remark about Indian Peafowl being destructive to native species
was based on personal comments to me by three
different NPWS rangers on Kangaroo Island. Apparently the IP pull the
other birds' nests apart. I didn't ask why
they indulge in such behaviour. HANZAB 3 p.374 notes that on
Heron Island IP eat the chicks and eggs of Black
Noddies; but I assume that is because of the absence of an alternative
food supply. Perhaps someone with experience
of peafowl on Kangaroo Island or elsewhere could comment further.
I think much of the problem with IPs on Kangaroo Island is that their
numbers are out of control in some places.
This seems to be due to adaption to the habitat (Chris Baxter in his
book "Birds of Kangaroo Island" (rev.ed 1995)
p.5 says they prefer farmland with remnant patches of bushland and
also coastal scrubs and creeks with a dense
cover of tea-tree) and a lack of predators (there are no foxes on KI).
Regards
Colin Scouler
"Philip A. Veerman" wrote:
That was an interesting comment "Peafowl: it is very
destructive to the nests and eggs of native birds" I wonder whether you
have
some information on that. What other birds etc. Don't
spend time on my enquiry, it is just curiosity, not a research topic.
"Philip A. Veerman" wrote:
That was an interesting comment "Peafowl: it is very
destructive to the nests and eggs of native birds" I wonder whether you
have
some information on that. What other birds etc. Don't
spend time on my enquiry, it is just curiosity, not a research topic.
"Philip A. Veerman" wrote:
That was
an interesting comment "Peafowl: it is very destructive to the nests
and eggs of native birds" I wonder whether you
have some information on that. What other birds etc. Don't spend time on
my enquiry, it is just curiosity, not a research topic.
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