Thank you, David - yes, a great insight into Peter Menkhorst’s philosophy. I learn that he spent a few months in PNG in 1975, the independence year. I didn’t meet him then, but
he was later on the English Names Committee.
In 1975 there was no field guide to NG birds, in fact not until 1986. The excellent guide that appeared then had a bird on the cover, appearing later in the guide as Macgregor’s
Bird of Paradise. The field marks were given as ‘Yellow wattles and wing patch.’ Useful field marks no doubt if you were looking for it up on the mountain tops, but the species in question turned out to be really a large honeyeater.
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of David McDonald (Personal)
Sent: Sunday, 8 February 2026 2:18 PM
To: Canberrabirds list <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] The field guide to a birding life: Peter Menkhorst - ABC listen
Greetings. I would not normally recommend listening to Ann Jones’ ‘What the duck’ on ABC RN, owing to her stupid childish interruptions of what her interviewees are trying to convey, but on this week’s program she constrained herself (to
a large degree). The result is a fascinating portrait of Peter Menkhorst and the CSIRO Bird Guide. Highly recommended:
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/what-the-duck/peter-menkhorst-bird-guide-book/106266446
Best wishes – David
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David McDonald
1004 Norton Road, Wamboin NSW 2620, Australia
Mobile: 0416 231 890 | Tel: (02) 6238 3706
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