SUPERB FRUIT DOVE

(Male) Photographed at Hatten, Queensland, November 2017

1228                   SUPERB FRUIT DOVE              Ptilinopus superbus

AUSTRALIA                721

Also known as the Purple-crowned Fruit Dove. Range: n-e Queensland to n-e NSW, less common further south, but has been seen in pockets near Moruya (NSW) and vagrants in Victoria and Tasmania. Inhabits rainforests and similar closed forest where forages high for the fruit of trees, such as figs and palms. Partly migratory and nomadic.

(Female)

SPOTTED WHISTLING DUCK

Photographed on the Daintree River, Queensland, November 2017

1227                  SPOTTED WHISTLING DUCK              Dendrocygna guttata

AUSTRALIA               720

Ranges throughout southern Philippines, Wallacea and New Guinea; has gradually been colonising northern Australia; now down as far as Daintree, though has been seen in Cairns.

Photographed at Wonga Beach, Queensland, November 2017

RED-BACKED BUTTONQUAIL

Photographed at Eungella, Queensland, November 2017

1226                  RED-BACKED BUTTONQUAIL                   Turnix maculosus

AUSTRALIA                  719

Also known as Black-backed, Black-spotted and Orange-bellied Buttonquail. Found also in indonesia, New Guinea,, Philippines and Soloman Islands. Fourteen recognised subspecies; subspecies melanotus found in northern Australia.

Photographed at MacKay, Queensland February 2018

RED-CHESTED BUTTONQUAIL

Photographed on The Postman's Track, Daybook, Queensland, November 2017

1225                RED-CHESTED BUTTONQUAIL             Turnix pyrrhothorax

AUSTRALIA                    718

Endemic to Australia; widespread though uncommon in NSW, Queensland, northern WA, and NT; classified as vulnerable in Victoria. Habitat is dense grasslands, and open, grassy woodlands of acacia, Red River Gums and Black Box; also in crops and weedy fields with dense cover.

Photographed near Willow Tree, NSW December 2020

BLACK-BREASTED BUTTONQUAIL

Photographed at Noosa Heads National Park, Queensland, November 2017

1224                   BLACK-BREASTED BUTTONQUAIL          Turnix melanogaster

AUSTRALIAN BIRDS                 717

Also known as Black-fronted Buttonquail. Rare bird, endemic to eastern Australia, usually in rainforest, rated as near threatened. Found from Harvey Bay south to ne corner of NSW