highlights, SEQ, 500m

[Judith L-A <>]

Hello, Alan. In the past months I have, several times, heard scientists giving presentations use the words 'umbrella species' to refer to birds whose presence indicates the health of an environment...

Maybe the Red-browed Finches here are shyer!

Judith.

> Judith,
>  
> What is
> meant by an umbrella species?
>  
> "The sight of
> Rainbow Lorikeets feeding alongside Red-browed Firetails is
> affecting, for these finches seem to trust no other bird so close
> by."
>  
> Up here on
> the Atherton Tableland I find Red-brows to be very trusting of other
> birds. The feed most days at my house beside the Peaceful Doves and
> Bar-shouldered Doves which come to the bit of grain I throw out. They
> don't seem to mind the Emerald Doves but they usually object to the
> presence of the Red-brows and flick a wing upwards, scaring them off.
> On those occasions when a  King Parrot visitors the feeder they
> have fed from right under its bill. In the bush they associate closely
> with other finches at times; Chestnut-breasted Manikins, Nutmeg
> Manikins and of course Blue-faced Parrot-Finches.
>  
> Regards,
> Alan

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Judith
Lukin-Amundsen
S-E Qld
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