Canberrabirds] Waterfowl nesting behaviour

[calyptorhynchus via Canberrabirds <>]

Not waterfowl, but a behaviour of rainbow lorikeets had me astounded when I witnessed it. At Taronga Park Zoo years ago I was standing the base of a eucalypt with a spout halfway up it. An rl flew at top speed straight into the spout, how on earth it slowed down inside I have no idea.

John L

On Fri, 1 Oct 2021 at 17:23 Alison Rowell <> wrote:

I wouldn’t discount it, many birds behave cryptically around their nests and evolution happens over a very long time. I’ve seen a monitor climbing a large tree and going into a large hollow belonging to Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, over their hysterical protests. Ducks have fewer defences than cockatoos, Australian Shelducks also nest in large tree hollows.

Alison R

 

From: Canberrabirds <> On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: Friday, 1 October 2021 4:35 PM
To: 'David McDonald (Personal)' <>; 'Canberrabirds' <m("lists.canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");" target="_blank">>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Waterfowl nesting behaviour

 

I have certainly seen this with Aust Wood Ducks. Don’t know how often. So quite possibly other duck species may do this, though I don’t think I have noticed it in others. Though how many other ducks commonly nest in tree hollows? The suggestion is that it is maybe intentional to not reveal the location of the nest to possible predators. That is a possibility but also a big leap of logic to give it that reason. For the behaviour to evolve for that reason seems quite farfetched as how can the benefit be so great and what are the predators that it would be designed for. Presumably humans? I hadn’t come across the suggestion before and had not thought it. I see it as that if you watch Aust Wood Ducks walking along the ground, the males typically walk a few steps behind their female and either follow or guide them from behind. (This is like Queen Liz & Prince P.) because in the duck’s case, he is continually guarding her. I had simply seen it as he commonly accompanying her to the nest location but did not need to go into the nest.

 

Philip

 

From: Canberrabirds On Behalf Of David McDonald (Personal)
Sent: Friday, 1 October, 2021 3:51 PM
To: 'Canberrabirds'
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Waterfowl nesting behaviour

 

Greetings. Every Friday, a neighbour of mine distributes an email on a natural history topic to interested locals. Today’s reads, in part:

Many Waterfowl species will nest in open tree hollows, ingeniously disguising the entrance with flybys where the pair fly close and fast in unison past the hollow with one disappearing into the hollow whilst the second continues on, attracting an onlookers' gaze.

 

I had not heard of this behaviour before. Any comments/observations, please?

 

David 

 

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David McDonald

1004 Norton Road, Wamboin NSW 2620, Australia

Tel: (02) 6238 3706 | Mobile: 0416 231 890

E-mail: m("dnmcdonald.id.au","david");" target="_blank">

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John Leonard
Canberra
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www.jleonard.net

Make nature great again.

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John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net

Make nature great again.

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