Hi everyone, I was walking at Birdsland Reserve (Belgrave Heights, Victoria) today and one of the regular walkers came up to me to tell me about a bird he and his wife saw yesterday morning.
He said is was parrot sized, green back and a chequered front. On doing a search here the only thing I can find is a Ground Parrot which appear to be in a vulnerable state in this state. Although the bird finder indicates more towards Gippsland than here.
The other thing I thought of was perhaps a juvenile crimson rosella and perhaps the patchy chest looked chequered to them rather than speckled.
Do you have any thoughts on what it might have been? I told him I would try to find out and let him know next time I saw him.
It would be more helpful if more information was available like: What was the habitat like? Descriptions of any sound that it made... Any outstanding behaviour? etc... At this stage, I have no other suggestions than what you have.
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Sorry, I don't have any further information. I didn't see the bird.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgrave_Heights,_Victoria tells you a bit about the area. Bushland, mainly flat, surrounded by farmland. It has two lakes and a small creek running through the reserve but he said it was like a parrot so it wasn't a water bird.
I'm still thinking it might have been a juvenile crimson rosella with a patchy front, that might have looked chequered to someone who isn't used to identifying birds. I found some photos online where you could say that the patchy colours on the chest almost looked chequered.
Not to worry, was just wondering if anyone knew of a bird that met that description.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
I think you are right in thinking Juvenile Rosella. I will look for one of my photos to show you. Will be soon, have to find it first
M-L
Does that look "chequered " to you? Juvenile Crimson Rosella.
M-L
lol, thanks. I have one that is probably even more chequered :-) I printed it off to show this man when we cross paths next. I see him regularly when I'm out on my walks.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
"parrot sized"? is that Budgie or King Parrot size, or maybe even Macaw size. I expect the habitat is not suitable for Ground Parrot. I think the juvenile Crimson Rosella theory sounds good, but another suggestion is female Satin Bowerbird.
Yes I know. A parrot can differ. He showed me with his hands and I think the rosella is a good fit. Just wasn't sure about the 'chequered' description. Not sure that it would be a satin bower bird. Can't say I've seen any there at all but it could be possible I guess.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
Hi Steve, I live sort of in the same area Kathie does, Bowerbirds are rare around here, although down the road from me, (outide of Gembrook Vic) my friend does have some on his property. Also, sometimes the mind plays tricks on you in different light, sun and shadows, that can make birds look chequered .
M-L
Agreed, the light can play tricks. And this guy walks when the sun is rising most mornings.
M-L we actually have a satin bowerbird that regularly visits our backyard. It lives in our neighbour's garden but likes to come check out the lawn here when the purple flowers are out. Hoping to get some decent shots of it sometime.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
Caught up with the guy today who told me about the bird he'd seen. Definitely not a juvenile crimson rosella or a ground parrot. He said the back was a moss green colour and the front definitely checkered. Not sure of the exact colouring on the front though. He said he's been here 40 years and never seen a bird like it before. I live in hope of seeing it myself so I can get a shot of it.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
Talking about Ground Parrots, Cooloola NP is a promising place for them... I am going there in November (late breeding season) and that is what we're looking for. And Southern Emu-wren.
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Where's that Brandon? Not heard of that place before.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
It's a bit far from where you live (QLD) but it's in the Tin Can Bay area... The Tin Can Bay road is easily accessable from the Hway and goes straight to the main entrance of the park. To get to all the right habitats you need a 4WD as all the tracks are sand. If you're into that kind of stuff, there is beach camping or a family camping ground. The family campsite is easier to get to and therefore be crowded.
Brandon (aka ihewman)
Thanks Brandon, always good to let people know where a place is
I guess I won't be getting there, much as I would like to. You never know, maybe one day.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
There is a lot of information about the Ground Parrot available, all of it would make it unlikely to find any in the Dandenongs.
Distribution There are three recognised subspecies of the Ground Parrot in Australia, though the subspecies in Tasmania (leachii) is not always recognised. Recently, the possibility that the western subspecies (flaviventris) may be a separate species has been raised. The eastern subspecies (wallicus) inhabits south-eastern Australia from southern Queensland through NSW to western Victoria. It formerly occurred in South Australia, but was last recorded in 1945. In NSW populations have declined and contracted to islands of coastal or subcoastal heathland and sedgeland habitats. The species is found in small numbers on the north coast (Broadwater, Bundjalung, Yuraygir NPs) and Myall Lakes on the central coast. The largest populations occur on the NSW south coast, particularly Barren Grounds NR, Budderoo NP, the Jervis Bay area and Nadgee NR. Small numbers are recorded at Morton and Ben Boyd NP and other areas on the south coast. Estimated population size is about 2000 birds. Habitat and ecology The Ground Parrot occurs in high rainfall coastal and near coastal low heathlands and sedgelands, generally below one metre in height and very dense (up to 90% projected foliage cover). These habitats provide a high abundance and diversity of food, adequate cover and suitable roosting and nesting opportunities for the Ground Parrot, which spends most of its time on or near the ground. When flushed, birds fly strongly and rapidly for up to several hundred metres, at a metre or less above the ground. The coastal and subcoastal heathland and sedgeland habitats of the Ground Parrot are particularly fire-prone. Ground Parrots can re-colonise burnt habitat after 1-2 years and reach maximum densities after 15-20 years without fire. Therefore, it is recommended that habitat be protected from extensive and intense fires. Home ranges of adult birds is typically 10 ha and overlapping with other birds, while juveniles have a significantly larger home range. There is no evidence of regular long-distance dispersal or migration events. Ground Parrots feed mostly on seeds from a large range of plant species, which varies seasonally. An individual bird may consume in the order of 8000 seeds per day from as many as 60 plant species. Other plant material and invertebrates may be ingested. Ground Parrots breed from September to December. Breeding is thought to be triggered by increasing seed availability in spring. 2-7 eggs are laid in a shallow bowl of fine sticks and grass, well hidden under overhanging tall, coarse grass, sedge or low, heathy shrubs. The nest is usually screened from above and sides, often with a tunnel in the surrounding dense plants. The female incubates the eggs for 21-24 days and on average a pair successfully fledges 2 young per season. Whilst the dense structure of Ground Parrot habitat makes it difficult for predators to hunt, birds are taken frequently in open habitats such as tracks, roads and fire breaks. Regional distribution and habitat Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Also interesting to read:
http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/580614/Eastern-Ground-Parrot-Wilsons-Prom-Survey.pdf
in my opinion it would be a big surprise if there were any of the rare Ground Parrots in a Park in the densely populated Dandenongs? From what I read the Ground Parrot lives in more coastal areas.
But you never say never.
M-L
Thanks M-L. I'd pretty much came to the conclusion that it wasn't a Ground Parrot. Still don't know what it was he saw. Thanks for the info though.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria