Baby Wattlebird

[Martin Butterfield <>]

While visiting a local nursery this morning the owner pointed out a Red Wattlebird's nest.  The parents changed shift as we watched and the new arrival fed chicks.  Looking at a photograph a good proportion of the nest material was shredded  blue paper- presumably it as mulch.

On 22 October 2013 11:13, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

Yes to Laura's comment (and I noted another one last week) and this
following text from The GBS Report:

Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata
Our most conspicuous honeyeater, it is noisy, bold, active and aggressive.
This species being a resident and the largest and most rambunctious
honeyeater, may take over a site that provides a rich food supply and
exclude other species. It is among the most recorded species in the count
and the breeding list. It is common all year. ...................

There are some early observations of nest building or copulation in late
June or in July but most breeding records start after early August. Most
records are of dependent young, rather than activities at nest. From the few
records that chronicle a whole breeding event, the duration is from 10 to 12
weeks. The breeding period is long and with considerable overlap of nest
period and the time that young are dependent. There may be more than one
breeding pair simultaneously at many sites, there is also a strong
suggestion of double nesting. Mostly activities at nest have ceased by end
of December with dependent young from late September till end of February
with a few observations as late as early April.

Graphs on pages: 90 and 98, Rank: 6, Breeding Rank: 3, Breeding graph on
page: 106, A = 2.00051, F = 97.36%, W = 52.0, R = 74.847%, G = 2.67.

The Breeding graph on page: 106, shows this very well. The idea of
investigating whether the new phenomenon of Koels breeding here makes a
change, is interesting. Worth emphasising that at the time period covered by
The GBS Report (and specifically stated therein), Koels had not yet been
recorded breeding here. So (as I have often suggested) the book really needs
an update.

Philip

-----Original Message-----From: Laura Johnson [
Sent: Tuesday, 22 October 2013 11:00 AM To: Julian Teh; COG Chatline
Subject: Baby Wattlebird

Hi Julian,

This is really normal. Most wattlebirds have already fledged a brood by now;
they kick off nest building in August and usually raise two broods. Plenty
of Canberra's wattlebirds are building their second nests, or incubating
their second clutch, as we speak. This second brood is usually the one that
koels parasitize. Looks like both species are running right on time this
season! :)

Cheers,
Laura


________________________________________
From: Julian Teh
Sent: Tuesday, 22 October 2013 10:54 AM
To: COG Chatline
Subject: Baby Wattlebird

Riding back to Higgins from Kippax just now, I discovered a newly-fledged
Red Wattlebird low in a bush right beside the path. Perhaps the koels are a
little late this year? Or maybe the wattlebirds up here a bit early?

Julian Teh
Sent from My iPad
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--
Martin Butterfield

http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/