Attached photo is of a nest found under a sandstone cliff in the Morton National Park. Anyone know which bird made it?
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Try again!
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Another place that I would love to visit! In my lunch break I'll look in my book of bird nests to see if I can find what it might be. However, in the meantime, perhaps someone else knows?
Did you see any birds there, CharlesWJ?
Regards,
Andy.
If you have Superb Lyrebirds in the area, then they could be the culprits. I have seen a nest up in a cave, on a narrow ledge just like this one. Quite remarkable. Another species that crossed my mind is the Peregrine Falcon, but I think they'd have more of a scrape in the debris at the bottom of the rocks rather than an elaborate structure as this. See if you can notice birds coming/going. :)
Now if I am right, Morton NP is in the Southern Highlands of NSW, so yes, Superb Lyrebird is very possible.
Thanks for the quick response guys and you were spot on. I have now researched the Superb Lyrebird and the nest we found is obviously one that was in the course of construction. I will have to brave the leaches and go back and see what it looks like now. The place is thick with lyre birds but I have never seen their nests.
Cheers
Charles
Good work Akos! I knew that in the meantime someone would post the answer!
Are the lyrebirds easily spooked? Will they desert the nest if someone is hanging around?
Thank you Andy. :)
If I didn't see a nest like this nearly three years ago, I'd never have guessed. :( I don't know how SLs would behave with humans near the nest. I'd certainly introduce a hide from a distance of say 30m and move it about 5m closer every day until within photographic distance. I once borrowed a book from the local library that was all about this wonderful species, and will try and find the ISBN number as a search of even Andrew Isles bookshop failed to find this title. I know Andy would love to read this book! :) ;)