On a visit to Mt.Lewis last Wednesday (15/04) with John Rawsthorne
of Forbes NSW I was pleasantly surprised to locate eleven Blue-faced
Parrot-finches, the number including at least four immatures. Due to the
early Wet, grasses are still carrying good quantity of seed which is
suiting these birds as well as more than usual Red-browed Firetails. The
first pair of Parrot finches were located mid way up the mountain drive
which was unexpected.
Along the way we encountered three Russet-tailed Thrush. Two of them
were "doing a shuffle" on the roadside in order to disturd small insects
in leaf litter.
We saw a number of Bower's Shrike-thrush, one female Golden
Bowerbird and several Atherton Scrub-wrens, one with dependent young.
Also Noisy Pitta.
We spent the afternoon in savannah woodland north of Mareeba. The
noteable event was witnessing a Grey Butcherbird attack an unsuspecting
male Painted Button-quail. It seemed a rather ambitious strike by the
butcherbird as it's prey may have out weighed the butcherbird. The
button-quail took flight above the low patchy canopy and landed at least
seventy metres away.
This poses the question that tropical button-quail and their young
may be on the menu for both this and the Pied and Black-backed
Butcherbirds? Studies relating to the Golden-shouldered Parrot have
proven that their free flying young have difficulty in escaping such
predation. Could this also be a factor in the rarity of the
Buff-breasted Button-quail?
Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ.
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