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They
are a very common garden bird in places like Brisbane and very tame in many
urban and bush areas that many people go to, e.g. the popular rain forest parks.
They do a lot of damage in suburban and inner city gardens in places like
Brisbane and in such places wild birds show little fear of humans, indeed can
become aggressive towards people. Probably the hardware shops love them because
many people need to build a fortress around their veggie garden to keep them
out. There is no need to propose that it is or has been a captive bird, but
could be. Quite possibly someone collected it on a holiday in Brisbane after
deciding that it would make a good free substitute for a chicken or turkey and
then discovered it was much harder to keep than a chicken and released it. I
would not expect such a person to receive notices via email or answer
them.
Philip
Thanks
John-Pierre. As you knew, unmistakeably an Aust BT, and apparently an
adult, and in good view. I think I’d come back to the point I suggested
earlier. If it appeared 2 weeks ago, has been hanging around the precincts
of yours and other properties since then, and shows what might be called
‘picnic-grounds’ confidence towards humans (or doesn’t immediately disappear
into cover), I think the evidence favours a captive-bird origin.
Perhaps it came from an aviary or exotic-bird collection in the area.
Geoffrey
From:
John-Pierre Favre [
Sent: Friday, 20 January
2012 12:51 PM
To: Geoffrey Dabb
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds]
Brush Turkey
This is a shot of the beast taken at our place last
week.
JP Favre
On Fri, Jan 20, 2012 at 10:41 AM, Geoffrey Dabb <>
wrote:
John-Pierre
This
record would be of considerable interest. There was an early record of the
species in the district that remains
controversial. The issue was discussed in the local bird journal (Canberra
Bird Notes 24:3, September 1999), and the conclusion reached that early
previous occurrence was possible. Every effort should be made to verify
this record eg with a photo. I am happy to come and try to get one if you
think this feasible. Meanwhile any info on a possible captive origin would
be of interest. Geoffrey
From:
John-Pierre Favre [
Sent: Friday, 20 January 2012
10:13 AM
To:
Subject:
[canberrabirds] Brush Turkey
Hello there,
We live in Bywong (the Mac's Reef road area on the way to
Bungendore). About two weeks ago a Brush Turkey turned up on our 40 acre lot. He
has been seen on various properties since that day.
He comes and sleep way up a gum tree near our house. This
morning he was feeding on Black Wattle seeds that are in abundance at the
moment.
We know little about birds of Australia and would like to know
if it is conceivable that Brush Turkeys live in our
district.
We have put notices via email to ask if he belongs to someone
but go no answers.
Can anyone give us some idea about this welcome
arrival?
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