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Last Wednesday (24/08/05) in the Wet Tropics was
very windy for the most of the day making birding somewhat difficult
particularly in sighting smaller species effectively.
Whilst driving on an
ashphalt road near Julatten I rounded a corner and noted what appeared to
be a large brown eucalypt leaf well ahead on the road.
For a time I looked elsewhere
and then noted that the leaf indeed was a Red-chested Button-quail. Stopping the
vehicle within metres of the bird we watched as it swayed back and forth in a
constant movement. I then backed up in an effort to have the rear passengers
view the bird.
Given space the button-quail
walked on calmly across the road and out of view.
Upon analysing the circumstances
I reckon the button-quail was responding to being caught out in the open and I
find it most interesting that it continued on it's way despite being able to
retreat one metre into roadside cover.
Has anyone witnessed similar
behavior with Quail or Button-quail?
Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman,
NQ.
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