I had the above in my scope on Saturday from Powells Lane, Richmond, NSW.
The birds were feeding in shallow water within 1m of an isolated, small but solid clump of reeds. Something alarmed them and they both reacted in exactly the same way and as if in unison. I might have expected them to simply run for cover and disappear into the main reed bed which was only about 3m away but they lifted their tails, lowered their heads, turned and backed up against the reeds where they remained within 30cm of each other for some minutes, alert but motionless. Perhaps, in part, this reaction was related to their dependence on their particularly cryptic plumage?
Apparently there isn’t much in HANZAB about APS behaviour. I am wondering if this quite specific reaction to perceived danger is innate within this species and/or has it been observed in other species?
Bob ===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au
http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Hi Bob
It certainly notes in references I have that Painted Snipe are hard to flush. The Helm Shorebirds book (Hayman et al, 1986) says “When disturbed usually freezes; groups may form a motionless tableau, each bird holding a different attitude. When approached, often does not flush until observer is very close, then flies only a short distance”. Waders of Europe, Asia and North America (Message & Taylor, 2005) similarly says “… can be difficult to flush, preferring to freeze when disturbed”. The ‘head down / bum up’ posture has been noted before in past Australian sightings (usually described more eloquently than I have just done though!)
mjh
===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Hi Bob
It certainly notes in references I have that Painted Snipe are hard to flush. The Helm Shorebirds book (Hayman et al, 1986) says “When disturbed usually freezes; groups may form a motionless tableau, each bird holding a different attitude. When approached, often does not flush until observer is very close, then flies only a short distance”. Waders of Europe, Asia and North America (Message & Taylor, 2005) similarly says “… can be difficult to flush, preferring to freeze when disturbed”. The ‘head down / bum up’ posture has been noted before in past Australian sightings (usually described more eloquently than I have just done though!)
mjh
===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
http://birding-aus.org ===============================