TRANSCRIPT
NARRATION
In the stunning landscape of the Kimberley a fight is breaking out. James Brazill-Boast and colleagues from Macquarie University have been trying to figure out who is winning this battle.
In one corner we have the Gouldian Finch, the pin up bird of the aviary. In the other corner is the Long-tailed Finch, a hardy little battler. It took some well placed CCTV cameras to figure out what was happening.
Gouldian finches are picky about the hollows that they nest in. A Long-tailed finch isn't as fussy. They attack the Gouldian finch even when it is a stuffed model, pushing them out of their nesting hollows. The Gouldian finch is much more timid, flying away when it sees the long tail. Being picky and scared means the nesting opportunities for the Gouldian finch are dramatically reduced.
The good news is that James has figured out what type of homes they like and after putting up over 500 nesting boxes he has been able to increase their local numbers by 250 per cent. Let's hope it is enough to save this beautiful little Aussie bird.
- Reporter: Dr Paul Willis
- Producer: Dr Holly Trueman
- Researcher: Dr Holly Trueman
- Camera: Mike Fidler
- Editor: Lile Judickas
Massimiliano Sappa
Story Contacts
James Bazill-Boast
Department of Brain, Behaviour and Evolution
Macquarie University
Dr Sarah Pryke
Department of Brain, Behaviour and Evolution
Macquarie University
Dr Simon Griffith
Department of Brain, Behaviour and Evolution
Macquarie University
Related Info
Avian Behavioural Ecology Group, Macquarie University
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YOUR COMMENTS
>> Add a Comment
- 26 Jul 2010 4:36:19pm
Brilliant. Wjhat more can I say!
John Boast
>> Reply
- 01 Jun 2010 1:43:52pm
I just want to say I LOVE Catlyst.I never miss an episode.
Please keep up the good work and don't EVER stop Catlyst.
Loved the Gouldian Finches. Perhaps you could do a segment on the Regent Honeyeater in the Capertee valley. I help plant trees there for them.
Cheers Chris.
>> Reply
- 03 Jun 2010 2:16:11pm
Are we able to find out more about the design of the nesting box that has been successful for the Gouldian finches? We are avriest ourselves and have australian finches that we breed. Can you furnish us with the measurements e and material with design and any other pertenant information?
Sincerely
Geoffrey Elbporough
>> Reply
- 06 Sep 2010 10:15:31pm
I would imagine these designs are availalbe online. A student at the university in Adeliade who is going to school in architecture should be able to come across these Geoffrey. Even though you don't have access to the internet for non school related items like this, I would think the public library would help as well. Good Luck Hunk.
>> Reply