There were often sightings of single cockatiels
in the Gympie and coastal area most of whom seemed to be escapees. I have
witnessed a pair of pied butcher birds attacking one unfortunate escapee cockatiel.
There are historic records of them being in the Gympie area and Cooloola National park. The nearest they
have been recorded in recent years is at the sub station half way between
Gympie and Widgee. I have seen flocks of around 200 north of Widgee.
There is a dry belt that runs from the west through the Widgee area and hits
the cost north of Tin Can Bay in
the Poona area
and there have been many interesting sightings along this dry belt of birds not
normally found in the area.
John
Cummings
Ph 02 6230
0182
Fax 02 6230
0181
Mobile 0407181
002
Email
From: Allan and Hazel
Wright [
Sent: Monday, 16 May 2005 10:02 AM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Unusual
bird sighting
During a recent trip to Qld we saw this bird in a eucalypt
at Tin Can Bay. At first we were unable to identify it but then noticed
its "blusher" marks on the cheeks. The bird was very docile
throughout the time we watched it. Could have been sick or frightened
and it only turned its head a little a couple of times. We were
able to walk around it to view from various angles and put the scope on
it. We did not see cockatiels in the area, and I don't think I have ever
seen them east of the GD Ranges, although the distribution maps show they could
be in this area of Qld. Could this be a "natural" mutation
or a hybridisated bird?
The attached photo was taken through the scope without
benefit of an adapter. This was the first time we have tried this
"technique" and was the only successful shot of several tries.
So strange bird, strange photo.
Many good birds in that area of Qld, especially terns and
honeyeaters, and there was some rain which was very welcome from our point of
view. We were also lucky enough to see a small flock of Black-breasted
Buttonquails but can only wonder how they survive in such a small pocket of
undergrowth which is under extreme pressure from human usage.
Any comments on this bird would be welcomed.
Allan and Hazel Wright
Canberra ACT
