Yesterday while birding at the Royal National Park with Adrian O’Neill,
we noticed that the Whipbirds were unusually active, and less cryptic
than usual. That behaviour allows closer observation of them foraging
on the ground, turning litter over, searching for insects.
What I found unexpected is that their tail was spread out. This
observation was made on several different individuals.
I began to wonder what is the specific purpose of spreading of the tail
feathers. While it would seem highly probable that this behaviour is
somehow associated with lushing insects.
Still, how does it operate? The birds were feeding in complete shade,
so the spreading out of tail feathers into a fan was not shading the
area around them.
Other birds, like fan-tails, also spread their tails, but while
foraging in foliage.
Does anyone have any information about this behaviour and its purpose?
Jack Shapiro==============================www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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