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A number of observers commented on my
experience with the Red-chested Button-quail a couple of weeks back. It has been
recorded with at least two more members of the genus.
Regarding Painted Button-quail,
both Fiona Anderson and Carol Proberts have witnessed the "staggering" behavior
and Carol related that she approached the bird only to have it run
off.
The other instances apply to the
Chestnut-backed of the Top End and the Kimberley.
Carol Helman relates to an
instance several years ago north of Katharine NT when a bird was on the highway
and being missed by passing roadtrains by ~50cm. Believing it to be injured she
was a metre from the bird when it flushed!
Guide Denise Goodfellow cites a
number of ocassions when she has literally picked them up and put them in a safe
area off the track.
George Swann of Broome calls
CBBQ's "rockers" as he has seen them rock their whole body backwards and
forwards before taking a step. He has watched four birds take ten minutes to
cross the Kalumbaru Road putting on this performance!?
In retrospect perhaps this
unexpected behavior may be better known if Button-quail were more
easily seen.
Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman,
NQ.
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