An Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus benefits from the beating behaviour of a Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius: a possible precursor to kleptoparasitism
Food parasitism on pelican species by many groups of birds, especially Larus and Sterna spp. is well known and documented. Although the Pelicanidae exhibit many behavioural and ecological traits known to facilitate parasitism, few accounts and studies of this feeding strategy by pelicans are known. The following report describes a series of inshore parasitic bouts […]
I used remotely triggered cameras placed at artificial nests to identify nest-predator species in Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve, a woodland remnant in Southern Victoria. A quail egg placed on top of a micro-switch inside a disused bird nest acted as the bait and trigger mechanism for a camera placed nearby. After 220 camera days […]
The Australian Treecreepers (Climacteridae) are thought to be almost entirely insectivorous (Barker and Vestjens 1990; Higgins et al 2001). However, we have observed ingestion of a number of different non-insect food items by treecreepers. Both Brown Treecreepers Climacteris picumnus and White-throated Treecreepers Cormobates leucophaeus were repeatedly observed feeding on the nectar of Mugga Ironbark Eucalyptus […]
We modified a leg harness designed for radio transmitter attachment in birds so that it could be used on species with long exposed thighs and so that it would automatically fall off after several months. Using this harness, we attached radios to 63 treecreepers (Climacteridae) to follow their dispersal movements. Harness life was quite variable […]
Reef Egret Egretta sacra nest site characteristics, nest attendance, vocalisations and eggs and chicks are described. Male and female Egrets spend equal time at the nest site at all stages of nesting. Incubation typically involved long sittings (mean of about 21.6 hours, standard deviation (s) = 9.46). The timing of feeding and nest attendance is […]
A survey of diurnal and nocturnal birds of Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, New South Wales and adjacent native forests was undertaken on one day and night in most months between November 1996 and March 1999. Birds were recorded within the Gardens and along a transect passing through rainforest to open forest at the adjacent Stockyard […]
