qld trip Oct – Dec 2011

The next lifers were at Centenary lakes opposite botanic gardens in Cairns. We had very poor views of double eyed fig parrot, screeching high overhead but later had very close and stunning views at Palmerston National Park and at the dam for water supply in Cairns at the carpark. Should also mention the lifer of Australian swiftlet over rainforest near the caravan park where we stayed. At Palmerston National Park the view of double eyed fig parrot was in the same fig tree in the campground, that the Cassowarry came to feed at for the 2 mornings we were there, the spotted catbird fed in, figbirds naturally and the musky rat kangaroo came out with the Cassowarry and had a feed of the fallen figs. Wompoo pigeon and black butcherbird were also hanging around but didn’t come to this particular tree. The other new bird for Centenary lakes was Brown backed honeyeater.

Brown backed honeyeater, Ramsayornis modestus: scientific name after Edward Ramsay(1842-1916), curator of Australian Museum 1874-1994. Modestus refers to its plain or modest markings.

double eyed fig parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma. generic name from Greek for round faced and Latin psitta for parrot. the species name is a combination of the Greek for double and eye and refers to the appearance given by the dark blue loral spots.

Aerodramus terrareginae Aerodramus is combination of Greek for air and speeding and I am unable to find terrareginae. Perhaps(or I am sure) that someone will be able to enlighten us.

Gary ===============================

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