Observations of birds feeding at a flowering Syzygium

On 5 September 1987 I found a Syzygium sp (Myrtaceae) tree in flower, beside the boundary trail in Varirata National Park (Central Province) at c. 750 m. The tree was c. 30 m tall and had a large spreading canopy. It stood on the bank of the stream, in the bottom of a steep sided, relatively narrow valley. The flowers occurred in clusters growing directly from the sides, not at the ends of the branches, and did not grow from smaller twigs. The clusters consisted of many stalks, almost mistletoe-like, with each stalk supporting a flower. These clusters were about 15 cm in diameter. The stalks on which the flowers grew were quite woody and would support a bird the size of a Helmeted Friarbird Philemon buceroides.

Between 5 and 20 September 1987 I visited the tree four times and watched for a total of 520 minutes (5 September 15:00 - 16:45; 12 September 07:45 - 08:10; 13 September 08:45 - 11:30 and 20 September 07:00 - 10:45). The shortest observation period was 25 minutes and the longest 225 minutes. There were many fewer flowers on 20 September, the last visit, than on the first, although I cannot quantify this. I observed the tree from a convenient point on the ground, from where 70% of the canopy was visible. Although the tree was in leaf, the foliage was sparse and it was only the crown of a smaller tree that obscured my view.

Nine species, six honeyeaters (plus one unidentified meliphaga) and two lories were observed feeding at the flowers of this Syzygium tree. Feeding birds were present in the tree for 85% of the observation time, which included all of the first three observation periods. Only during the final observation period, when there were fewer flowers, were there times when there were no birds feeding in the tree.

Between one and four Helmeted Friarbirds were present throughout the first three observation periods. On 20 September two birds made only a brief visit to the tree to feed. Helmeted Friarbirds were present in the tree for 57% of the observation period and during this time at least one bird was at a flower cluster apparently feeding. While in the tree, the friarbirds moved from flower-cluster to flower-cluster by hopping along the branches or flying from branch to branch. When feeding the friarbirds perched by, or on the flower cluster, using their long necks and bills to reach the more inaccessible flowers. Although there were many flowers on each cluster, the friarbirds fed from only a few before moving onto the next cluster, so the time spent at each cluster was short, usually less than two minutes. Even when four friarbirds were in the tree together no intraspecific aggression was noted, although the birds seemed to keep in pairs. When a single bird was alone in the tree it called almost continuously.

Greater Streaked Lories Chalcopsitta scintillata were not recorded on the first visit but were seen on the subsequent three visits. Between two to eight birds (one to four pairs) were noted. They were present in the tree for 19% of the observation time. On approaching and leaving the tree the birds were noisy but were mostly quite while feeding. They moved from flower-cluster to flower-cluster by walking along the branches. On the flower-clusters they moved acrobatically from flower to flower, hanging upside-down to reach the more inaccessible ones. They did not appear to damage the flowers, i.e. they were not flower predators. No intraspecific aggression was noted and although competing for the same resource no interspecific aggression with the friarbirds was recorded.

Western Black-capped Lories Lorius lory were present in the tree for 35 minutes (7% of the observation time). Two to four were recorded feeding in the tree. They were not seen in the tree at the same time as the Greater Streaked Lories. As with the Greater Streaked Lories they were mainly quiet while feeding, but noisy when flying to and from the tree. They were also more acrobatic than the Helmeted Friarbirds when feeding at the flower clusters.

The remaining six species, all honeyeaters, which visited the Syzygium tree to feed, did so only briefly. Each feeding visit lasted less than a minute, with the birds usually only feeding at one or two flower-clusters as they passed through the tree. These six species made 13 feeding visits to the tree. Three species made five feeding visits on 5 September and four species, plus an unidentified meliphaga made eight feeding visits on 20 September. On 5 September one Tawny-breasted Honeyeater Xanthotis flaviventer, two Puff-backed Meliphagas Meliphaga aruensis and one Dwarf Honeyeater Oedistoma iliolophus passed through the tree with a mixed-species feeding flock. A single Tawny-breasted Honeyeater had also been recorded earlier in the first observation period. On 20 September an unidentified meliphaga and a Red-throated Myzomela Myzomela eques were with a party that also included two Helmeted Friarbirds and also fed on the Syzygium flowers. One male Papuan Black Myzomela Myzomela nigrita, two Mimic Meliphagas Meliphaga analoga and two Tawny-breasted Honeyeaters moved through the tree with another mixed-species feeding flock later in the day. No interspecific aggression was noted among the species that made up these flocks, possibly because the smaller species were inhibited by the presence of the Friarbirds. Only when the numbers of flowers were much reduced, on 20 September and the friarbirds only noted briefly, were the smaller birds recorded more frequently.

I would like to thank Jenny Hicks and Barry and Lynda Hopkins who helped with the observations and Helen Fortune Hopkins and Mike Hopkins who commented on an earlier draft of this note.

An Extension of Altitude Range for two Mannikin Species

On 3 April 1986 at Myola, Northern Province (09^o 09’ S 147^o 45’ E) two Eastern Alpine Mannikins Lonchura monticola were observed on the edge of a flock of c.100 Grey-headed Mannikins L.caniceps feeding on the short grass of the airstrip. Two birds were subsequently seen on the moss forest/grassland border, again in the company of Grey-headed Mannikins. Myola, at 2080m lies well below the normal altitude range for Eastern Alpine Mannikins, given as 2700m – 3500m in Beeler et al. (1986) and 9000’-12000’ (2750m – 3400m) in Rand and Gilliard (1967). In the days preceding the observation there had been very heavy and continuous rainfall. This might have caused the birds to move lower. Grey-headed Mannikins had been recorded on each of the five days prior to these observations. In September 1987 Eastern Alpine Mannikins were found to be common on the tree fern forest located 2km from Myola and 500m higher (M.J.G. Hopkins pers. comm.).

Grey-headed Mannikins have been recorded at Myola on previous and subsequent visits: April 1985 P.Lambley; June 1986 J.Oliver; April 1987 H.C.F. Hopkins & P.Lambley (all pers.comm.) and in September 1985, June 1987 and September 1987 (pers. obs.). They have usually been observed feeding in the grasslands of the Myola basin or along the moss forest/grassland edge. Myola is higher than the upper altitude limit for this species given by Beeler et al. (1986) as 1900m and by Rand and Gilliard (1967) as 5800’ (c.1800m). The regular recording of this species suggests it is resident in the area.

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

Rand, A.L. & E.T. Gilliard (1967). Handbook of New Guinea Birds. Weidenfeld and Nicolson.

First published in Muruk 2(2): 60

Feeding Observations at a Fruiting Pipturus

On 30 August 1987 a fruiting Pipturus argentaeus Willd. (Urticaceae), which was attracting several species of birds was watched for approximately one hour from 09:00. The tree was c.10m tall and stood in a small clearing beside a dry stream bed in the Veimauri logging area,c .70km north-west of Port Moresby at c. 200m above sea level.

The birds were feeding on small, green, spherical cone-like structures, 2 – 3mm in diameter, which are the immature compound fruits. These compound fruits are borne at intervals, on thin, angled (zig-zag) stems, produced in the leaf axils. The fruits were hard and dry. The mature fruit of P.argenteus is a white, fleshy false berry but none were seen on this tree.

Eight species were observed feeding in the tree. Two pairs of Orange-breasted Fig-Parrots Cyclopsitta gulielmiteri were present for the whole time. They fed actively, climbing from branch to branch throughout the tree. Females of three birds of paradise, Magnificent Bird of Paradise Cicinnurus magnificus, King Bird of Paradise C.regius and Raggiana Bird of Paradise Paradisaea raggiana, visited the tree for short periods, each feeding in only one part of the tree before moving on. A male Brown Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia amboinensis landed on a low branch of the tree. It took a single fruit before attempting to climb to a smaller branch which could not bear its weight. It fell out of the tree and flew into the surrounding forest. A pair of Plain Honeyeaters Pycnopygius ixoides and a pair of Tawny-breasted Honeyeaters Xanthotis flaviventer made repeated visits, feeding throughout the crown. All these birds appeared to ingest the fruit whole. Two Grey Whistlers Pachycephala simplex also visited the tree but did not feed on the fruit, instead they gleaned items from the leaves. No inter-specific aggression was noted, although at times the were eight individuals of four species in the tree.

Voucher specimen at UPNG for P.argenteus is Hicks & Hicks #2. I would like to thank Paul Katik for identifying the food plant.

First published in Muruk 3(1): 15

Owling at the Pacific Adventist College

Owls, nightjars and frogmouths are not easy birds to see. Most observations tend to be of birds glimpsed in car headlights while travelling at night, when identification is not always possible. Members of the PNGBS are fortunate that Len Tolhurst, a PNGBS committee member, works and lives on the SDA Pacific Adventist College campus, which lies south of the Hubert Murray Highway, near Illimo Farm, about 10km from the outskirts of Port Moresby. The campus is surrounded by a security fence which is well lit at night. The lights attract flying insects which in turn attract the night birds and for a change it is possible to see them well. The demand for some night-time bird-watching was such that two trips were organised to the college, on 11 and 13 August 1987.

 

The plan was to drive around the perimeter track to see what had been attracted to the lights. The first birds seen each evening were a pair of Blue-winged Kookaburras using the security fence as a vantage point from which to hunt. Barn Owls, Papuan Frogmouths and Large-tailed Nightjars were perched in open situations where they were easy to see. Having followed the security fence for some way, we moved into the farmland beyond the campus and were surprised how many Barn owls and Large-tailed Nightjars there were. At least five pairs of the latter were scattered over an area of ploughed land, their eyes reflecting red or green in the spot-light beam. These nightjars allowed a close approach when dazzled by the light and subsequently we have managed to trap three for ringing (banding) by this means. While trapped in the light the full details of their cryptic plumage was seen, although under such conditions it afforded them little protection. In the same area there were at least five Barn Owls but no sign of the rarer owls we had hoped for. Papuan Boobook, Barking Owl and Rufous Owl have all been reported from the college.

Our first visit finished on a note of excitement when a large nightjar was trapped in the spotlight beam. It was observed for about 15 minutes spending most of its time perched but occasionally sallying out after insects. It showed no white in the wing or tail and was identified as a White-throated Nightjar. This is thought to be the first sighting of this species, a migrant to New Guinea from its Australian breeding grounds, in the Port Moresby area. A note on this sighting will be in the next issue of Muruk.

On behalf of all those who enjoyed the night time viewing, I would like to thank Len for his hospitality, chauffeuring us around and more importantly knowing where to go, his wife Val for the welcoming drinks and cakes and Mr Wilkinson, the principal of the college for allowing us to roam over his campus and for the loan of his spotlight which greatly helped our viewing.

Species List:

Great Egret, Rufous Night-Heron, Masked Lapwing, Barn Owl, Papuan Frogmouth, White-throated Nightjar, Large-tailed Nightjar, Blue-winged Kookaburra.

First published in Muruk 3(1): 25

White-throated Nightjar Eurostopodus mystacalis: First record for the Port Moresby Area

On 11 August 1987 several members of the PNGBS were looking for night –birds on the Pacific Adventist campus, c.10km east of Port Moresby at c.70m. At 21:30 a large nightjar was seen perched on a bare branch. It was observed for about 15 minutes with the aid of a powerful spotlight from a distance of about 30m. During this time it made three flights, returning to the same perch each time. It was larger than either of a pair of Large-tailed Nightjars Caprimulgus macrurus which were seen at the same time. It showed no white markings either in the wing nor on the underside of the tail. The undertail coverts and undersides of the tail were quite strongly barred. A bird matching this description was seen in the same place on 3 September 1987. After consulting various reference books (Beehler et al. 1986; Coates 1985; Slater et al. 1986) this bird was identified as a White-throated Nightjar Eurostopodus mystacalis. It was seen by nine observers, none of whom had had any previous experience of the species.

Six species of nightjar have been recorded in New Guinea and its satellite islands (Beehler et al. 1986). Of these, five were rejected for the following reasons: 1) The Large-tailed Nightjar is the common nightjar of the savanna around Port Moresby. In flight it shows distinct white markings in the wing and on the underside of the tail; 2) Two species, Jungle Nightjar C.indicus and Spotted Nightjar E.argus have yet to be recorded in PNG, although both are migrants and could occur. Both show distinct white wing patches and the male Spotted Nightjar has white in the tail. 3) Two all dark nightjars, both endemic to New Guinea, can be rejected by size and habitat. The Mountain Nightjar E.archboldi frequents montane rain forest and has not been recorded below 2000m (Coates 1985). The Papuan Nightjar E.papuensis is found almost exclusively in lowland rainforest. Both are similar in size to Large-tailed Nightjar.

A race of the White-throated Nightjar E.m.mystacalisis a migrant to New Guinea from its breeding grounds in eastern Australia. It has been recorded infrequently in PNG with sightings from Western Province through the highlands to the north coast but this is the first sighting for south-east New Guinea. There has been one previous ‘possible’ record for the Port Moresby area when a Nightjar showing small white wing patches and lacking white in the tail was flushed from the road near Brown River in August 1986 (Field Guides Inc, 1988). I suspect this species has been overlooked in the past and is not just a vagrant to the Port Moresby area.

Beehler, B.M., T.K. Pratt & D.A. Zimmerman. 1986. Birds of New Guinea. Princeton University Press.
Coates, B.J. 1985. The Birds of Papua New Guinea. Vol 1. Dove Publications.
Field Guides Inc. 1988. Field Guides Inc tour of Papua New Guinea 1986. Muruk 3:23-24.
Slater, P., P.Slater & R.Slater. 1986. The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds. Rigby.

First published in Muruk 3(2): 55-56

Myola in June

Five members of the PNGBS and 10 others celebrated the Queen’s official birthday by leaving the heat of Port Moresby for the cooler delights of Myola. Myola lies in the heart of the Owen Stanley mountain range at a height of 2080m and is less than 25 minutes flying time from the capital. However, the contrast could not be greater. Myola is a small satellite village of about 20 huts, two of which are the guest house sleeping quarters and common room, situated on the edge of moss forest and the swampy grassland of the Myola basin. The origin of this grassland is uncertain although a blackened slope where the vegetation had been burnt suggested one possible cause.

This was the first time we had trapped birds using mist nets at Myolas. Rings (bands) were supplied by the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme. The nets were sited close to the track leading to the Kokoda Trail. Over the weekend we caught, ringed, weighed and measured 16 birds of 10 species: four Ashy Robins, all caught in the same net, three Fan-tailed Berrypeckers, two Regent Whistlers, a pair of Black-billed Cuckoo-Doves and one each of Bronze Ground-Dove, Mountain Mouse Warbler, Friendly Fantail, Black Fantail and Rufous-backed Honeyeater. Pride of place though went to a female Macgregor’s Bowerbird caught on the Sunday. She was a large, powerful bird with uniform olive-brown plumage and a pale yellow-orange underwing. It was nice to confirm the presence of this species at Myola. We have subsequently heard of a bower close to where we caught this bird.

We spent the weekend in the vicinity of the village as we did not want t oleave the nets unattended for too long. Even so about 40 species were recorded. An unidentified fruiting tree proved attractive to several species including a pair of Loria’s Birds of Paradise, several Fan-tailed Berrypeckers and the noisy Belford’s Melidectes. Individual Stephanie’s Astrapias , usually females or subadult males were seen occasionally at the forest edge, close to the village. In the grassland of the Myola basin Tawny Grassbirds were common, Spotless Crakes were heard calling but not seen and King Quail, in small groups, were recorded for the first time.

Our long weekend break, 6 – 8 June 1987, ended with a flight back to Moresby early on Tuesday morning, We all enjoyed our stay and would like to thank the villagers of Myola for their hospitality and Talair for getting us there and back.

Species List: r = ringed; h = heard

Harrier sp, New Guinea Harpy Eagle (h), Brown Falcon, Wattled Brush-Turkey, King Quail, Forbes’ Forest-Rail, Spotless Crake (h), Black-billed Cuckoo-Dove (r), Bronze Ground-Dove (r), White-breasted Fruit-Dove, Papuan Mountain Pigeon, Goldie’s Lorikeet, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Sooty Owl (h), Mountain Swiftlet, Glossy Swiftlet, Forest Kingfisher, Pacific Swallow, Island Thrush, Spotted Jewel-Babbler (h), Lesser Melampitta, Blue-capped Ifrita, Tawny Grassbird, Mountain Mouse-Warbler (r), Large Scrub-Wren, Buff-faced Scrub-Wren, Gerygone sp, Dimorphic Fantail, Black Fantail (r), Friendly Fantail (r), Black-breasted Boatbill, Black Monarch, Canary Flycatcher, Ashy Robin (r), Blue-Grey Robin, Regent Whistler, Rufous-naped Whistler, Fan-tailed Berrypecker (r), Red-collared Myzomela, Rufous-backed Honeyeater (r), Belford’s Melidectes, Common Smoky Honeyeater, Grey-headed Mannikin, Macgregor’s Bowerbird, Loria’s Bird of Paradise, Stepahanie’s Astrapia.

PNGBS Outing: 7th December 1986: Hiritano Highway

Only two cars and three birders, Charles Menendez, Niklas Wahlberg and myself, met under the NBC tree for the December outing. Not surprising really as most people had already departed on their Christmas holidays. Our aim was to do a run along the Hiritano Highway, stopping at various birding spots en route. After heavy overnight rain, the morning was overcast and cool. By 05:50 we were birding in the roadside rain forest at the ‘King Bird Tree’. One of the first birds we saw was a damp looking Grey-headed Goshawk; also noted was my first Purple-tailed Imperial Pigeon and two Manucode species, Glossy-mantled and Trumpet. The Trumpet Manucode perched in the open making a ‘chunk’ call. We left the King Bird Tree at 07:15 having recorded 33 species. A brief stop at the oxbow added another 12 species including Little and Azure Kingfishers. A flowering tree beside the highway was attracting a variety of Lorikeets and prompted another brief stop: Rainbow Lorikeet was the commonest species but also feeding in the tree were Black-capped Lories, Greater Streaked Lories, Red-flanked Lorikeets and Eclectus Parrots.

We eventually reached Kanosia Lagoon at 09:15, where the overcast conditions had developed into fine drizzle. First birds were a flock of 14 Cattle Egrets in breeding plumage. The lagoon hosted a good selection of birds including two Oriental Pratincole, 15 Garganey and two Little Ringed Plover, one in breeding plumage. While Nik and I went on to the coast a Hisiu with 75 species recorded, Charlie headed back to Port Moresby.

We reached the sea at Obu Point at 11:15. On a drive along the beach to Cape Suckling we recorded 11 species of wader, including 3 Terek Sandpipers, 14 Whimbrel and c.200 Red-necked Stint. A gathering of terns at Obu Point included c.300 Common Terns and c.50 Little Terns. With 89 species we turned for home.

At Hisiu Mangroves, I managed to lock the keys in the car, but fortunately managed to break-in and retrieve the keys without too much trouble. Nik, meanwhile, had been watching a pair of Mangrove Robins which thankfully hung around for me to see them. We had a good time in the mangroves catching up with most of the mangrove specialities including my first Mangrove Fantails plus Mangrove Gerygone, Broad-billed Flycatcher, Collared Kingfisher and a single Oriental Cuckoo. Hisiu Lagoon was completely dry, so we did not linger. Our last stop was Aroa Lagoon where we added a few more species to the list, including a single Australian White Ibis plus some more wetland and savanna species.

Tired and contented we rolled back into Port Moresby as the sun was setting having recorded 111 species.

Species List:
Australasian Grebe, Little Black Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Australasian Darter, Great Egret, Pied Heron, Intermediate Egret, Cattle Egret, Eastern Reef Egret, Nankeen Night-Heron, Australian White Ibis, Whistling Kite, Brahminy Kite, Papuan Harrier, Brown Goshawk, Grey-headed Goshawk, Pacific Black Duck, Wandering Whistling Duck, Green Pygmy Goose, Garganey, White-browed Crake, Dusky Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Comb-crested Jacana, Oriental Pratincole, Masked Lapwing, Grey Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Mongolian Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Whimbrel, Grey-tailed Tattler, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Gull-billed Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Emerald Ground-Dove, Stephan’s Ground-Dove, Peaceful Dove, Dwarf Fruit-Dove, Orange-bellied Fruit-Dove, Purple-tailed Imperial-Pigeon, Torresian Imperial Pigeon, Papuan mountain Pigeon, Greater Streaked Lory, Black-capped Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Red-flanked Lorikeet, Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot, Red-cheeked Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Oriental Cuckoo, Pheasant Coucal, Uniform Swiftlet, Glossy Swiftlet, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Blue-winged Kookaburra, Collared Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Little Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Oriental Dollarbird, Pacific Swallow, White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike, Black Cuckoo-Shrike, Boyer’s Cuckoo-Shrike, Cicadbird, White-winged Triller, White-shouldered Fairy-Wren, Mangrove Gerygone, Northern Fantail, Rufous Fantail, Mangrove Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Friled Monarch, Leaden Flycatcher, Broad-billed Flycatcher, Shining Flycatcher, Mangrove Robin, Mangrove Golden Whistler (Nik only), Grey Whistler, White-bellied Whistler, Rusty Pitohui, Olive-backed Sunbird, Dusky Myzomela, Graceful Meliphaga, Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, Helmeted Friarbird, Rufous-banded Honeyeater, Brown-backed Honeyeater, Grey-headed Mannikin, Metallic Starling, Brown Oriole, Spangled Drongo, White-breasted Wood-Swallow, Black-backed Butcherbird, Yellow-faced Myna, Golden Myna, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Trumpet Manucode, Raggiana Bird of Paradise,Torresian Crow.