chick ID

[Harvey Perkins <>]

G'day  all,

I was recently shown the attached photo of a young bird in the hope of getting an ID. It was taken by Michael Maconachie, an ACT ranger, at 9:35 h on 26 Dec 2004, about 2 km east of Picadilly Circus in the Brindabellas (c 25 km west of Canberra), elevation 1150 m. As he says "There were 4 juveniles (chicks ?) sitting on the road, with an adult calling from the cover of the roadside veg. (don't ask me to remember the call). As I got out of the car 1 ran off and the other 3 sat still. As I took the photos one, then another ran off leaving one behind. I have a slide of the 3, but the depth of field means onlt one is in focus. The 4th chick stayed a long time - allowing me to go back to the car and get the works digital camera. In the end I gave the chick a flick up the bum to send it on its way as it was sat in the middle of the road."

After looking through various references I concluded that it is a young button-quail, and, given the location, habitat, and status and habits of button-quail in the ACT, most likely a Painted Button-quail. Does anyone on this list have any expertise with button-quail chicks who could confirm or have any other suggestions.

The significance of this sighting and desire for a positive ID is that there are only very few records of Painted Button-quail breeding in the Canberra area.

Any help would be appreciated.

Harvey

-- 

................................................
Dr Harvey D. Perkins
School of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
The Australian National University
Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
ph +61 2 6125 2693; fax:+61 2 6125 0313
and:
Pest Animal Control Cooperative Research Centre
................................................

Editor, Canberra Bird Notes
(Journal of the Canberra Ornithologists Group)
42 Summerland Circuit, Kambah, ACT 2902
Ph: (02) 6231 8209  mobile: 043 886 9990
................................................

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