One of the noticeable effects of our Cyclone Ita in April is the abundance of fruit this season amongst the fruiting trees of the rainforest, whether it be palms, quandongs, bleeding hearts or others.
The has been wonderful for birds including Victoria’s Riflebird, Australian Figbird, Australian Koel and our fruit-eating Doves and Pigeons.
Pied Imperial-Pigeon migrate from New Guinea each year to breed, predominantly on the off-shore islands, coming to the mainland each day to feed on rainforest fruits. Numbers are good this year as fruit is plentiful.
Pied Imperial Pigeon
Wompoo Fruit-Dove, local and reasonably common, are often difficult to find but this year is an exception with more birds than usual feeding about on the Blue Quandong and others. They have been very vocal and breeding seems well under way. We also have good numbers of Top-knot Pigeons in te Daintree Valley this season.
Wompoo Fruit-Dove and chick
