I had a most delightful encounter with one of these birds the other day. ( For the benefit of overseas readers - this bird is only found in the eastern part of southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. It is listed as vulnerable by the Environment Department.) I have frequently seen Black-breasted Button-Quail out at Inskip Point but it has always been a rather brief view as they hurried off into the underbrush. I have been told stories of how they have walked out in front of others - and have rather wondered how accurate such stories might be! Well it happened to me the other day!
I was walking slowly and quietly down the bush track to the end of the point and had stopped to look at another bird when I saw this little bird come out on the track and start towards where I was standing. I kept still and it kept walking towards me. Then it found a suitable patch of soft sandy dust and stopped and scratched until it had made a suitable spot then sat down and fluffed all its feathers out and had a "dust bath". Meanwhile I kept the camera clicking! This series of photos is part of the result.
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For more bird photos visit the Bird Photography Weekly. 
Terrific to be able to see that bird so clearly, Mick.
ReplyDeleteOne makes one's own luck, you know.
Well done.
Fair reward for all those years of patience.
The relate Painted Quail is regularly tracked in Canberra by searching for these "platelets" (little clearings amongst grasses) where they take dust baths. It is diagnostic of Button Quails, apparently.
Cheers
Denis
What a great sighting of the quail. It is sad to hear they considered vulnerable. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, Mick - it's like you became part of the environment. It's an interesting bird, with those bright yellow legs and the piercing eye.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a delight when the birds ignore our cameras and keep doing their thing?
ReplyDeletewhat a great experience! And what a beautiful bird, too. So glad you got such an excellent view of him, and awesome photos!
ReplyDeleteHi Denis - interesting about the Painted Quail in Canberra. The patch of bush out at Inskip has platelets everywhere so they are not much good for finding where the birds are at present. It's taken more than 6 years for me to get that lucky!
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen, the vulnerable status of these birds was enough to stop another huge housing development going in last year.
Hi Wren, it was a great experience.
Hi Martha, wish the birds would always ignore our cameras!
Hi JN, its a beautifully colored bird indeed.
What a great moment that would have been. Nice one!
ReplyDeleteWell Mick, as they say, patience pays off. You have some great photos of a bird that is difficult to find, to say the least. Hopefully with the Red List (VU) Vulnerable listing, their decline can be reversed.
ReplyDeleteI love that last shot of the bird dusting. Those white irises give it such a frightened look.
Hi Mosura, nice that I finally had some really good looks and chances to get better photos.
ReplyDeleteHi Larry, The vulnerable listing should help the birds. I guess it depends how much suitable habitat is left.
Wow! Call it serendipity or whatever but those are a great series of shots! Here in the Philippines Button-Quails are very, very shy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob, they are pretty shy here too - it's taken me more than 6 years to see them this way!
ReplyDeleteTremendous series of pictures Mick. What a strikingly well camouflaged bird, no wonder it's hard to see normally.
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil - and when you do see them they are beautiful!
ReplyDeletethis is the kind of things that makes life worth living, it´s wonderful. :)
ReplyDeleteStunning shots Mick - its what makes birding such a great hobby. Momonts like this will remain with you for ever.
ReplyDeleteThanks NF and Tony for commenting. I agree about it being such a special moment.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing of an experience!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you could happily watch this fellow and click away!
Thanks Nicole.
ReplyDeleteVery cool. Years ago my ex & I used to raise button quail (& others.) I don't know that it's the exact same species as those you've featured, but they were so awefully tiny & cute.
ReplyDeleteI'm just sooo envious!
ReplyDeleteHi Tony, but just think how many times I have been out there looking and hoping without any good sightings.
ReplyDeleteFantastic, Mick! The dust bath was obviously too important to worry about an onlooker.
ReplyDeleteHi Snail, I just feel very lucky to be there to see it!
ReplyDelete