Feeding Observations of Short-tailed Paradigalla

Between 9 and 12 October 1987 Short-tailed Paradigalla Paradigalla brevicauda were regularly recorded in the grounds of Ambua Lodge, Tari, Southern Highlands Province, at c.2200m. Most observations were of two birds, presumed to be an adult and juvenile. The adult had creamy-yellow forehead wattles and pale blue gape wattles as depicted by Beehler et al (1986). The juvenile lacked blue gape wattles while its forehead wattles were as large as those of the adult. It was seen to solicit food, in the form of whole fruit, from the adult on three occasions. Each time the juvenile adopted a begging posture with its head held low, neck stretched towards the adult and wings held slightly away from the body and quivering. We could discern no calls associated with the begging.

The adult was observed feeding on the fruit from two Planchonella (Sapotaceae) trees on three occasions. The fleshy berries of these trees were c.10mm in diameter and grey singly on short stalks among the leaves. They usually contained two smooth, elongated seeds. The adult moved through the tree taking only ripe black fruit, leaving hard, green unripe fruit. The whole fruit was ingested. The juvenile was present each time, but it was not seen to take any fruit other than those offered to it by the adult.

At 15:30 on 9 October the juvenile was seen feeding on its own, in a non-fruiting tree. It probed hoes in the branches using its relatively long, decurved bill and took at least one grub. It then pulled dead leaves from the branches, worried at the leaves and seemed to pull further grubs from them, The dead leaves were too high for us to examine them other than through binoculars. When the adult, carrying a Planchonella fruit, landed in the tree, the juvenile stopped its own search for food and begged for the fruit which it received.

At 06:30 on 12 October the adult and juvenile were seen in a species of Sericolea, possibly S.pullei (Laut.) Schltr. (Elaeocarpaceae). This tree was c.6m high and stood in the lodge grounds on the edge of moss forest. The adult was feeding on the small (2 x 1mm) red fruits which are produced singly on short, (1.5cm), thin peduncles amonst the leaves. The juvenile followed the adult through the tree but did not attempt to feed and did not beg to be fed.

At 17:00 on 9 November, also in the grounds of Ambua Lodge, two birds (assumed to be the same ones seen in October) were observed feeding on the berries of a Perrotetia alpestris (Bl.) Loess sp moluccana (Bl.) Hou (Celestraceaea) tree. This tree was c.20m tall.The fruits were small (c.1mm x 0.5mm) and were black when ripe. Fruits were borne singly on short green stems, several of which grew alternately from a more major stem. Although the juvenile was feeding itself, it still followed the adult and was seen to beg for food. A begging call, an often repeated, faint high-pitched squeak was heard.

Voucher specimens at UPNG are: Planchonella, Hicks & Hicks #5; Sericolea #6’ Perrotetia #7. We would like to thank Paul Katik, Lawong Balun and Helen Fortune Hopkins for identifying the food plants.

Beehler, B.M, T.K.Pratt & D.A.Zimmerman. 1986. Birds of New Guinea. Princeton University Press.

First published in Muruk 3(1): 14, co-authored with Jenny H. Hicks.