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Project Noah Nature School
gallirallus philippensis ssp. mellori
The Buff-banded Rail is a distinctively coloured, medium-sized rail of the family Rallidae, and I think quite a beautiful bird. This species comprises several subspecies (approx. 25) found throughout much of Australasia and the south-west Pacific region. This rail walks slowly, although when I see them they're usually darting for cover with their tails raised and flicking constantly. This is nearly always around early dawn. It's an omnivorous scavenger which feeds on a range of terrestrial invertebrates and small vertebrates, seeds, fallen fruit and other vegetable matter, as well as carrion and refuse. Its nest is usually situated in dense grassy or reedy vegetation close to water, with a clutch size of 3-4. Classified as waterbirds, which is something I didn't know. The Metroplex Wetlands are only a stones throw from this spotting location, so that would explain why they frequent this area.
Spotted amongst native trees, shrubs, and grasses, in the gardens of the Metroplex on Gateway estate. Usually found near clean bodies of water where there is good cover and plentiful food. There's lots of dense foliage and ground cover here and down by the wetlands, so there are plenty of places to hide. I guess snakes and hawks would be their greatest threat, so this isn't such a bad place to hang out.
First time I've ever been close enough to get any photos. Not the best, but they'll have to do. I was hiding in my car to get these photos.
Spotted on Aug 14, 2014
Submitted on Aug 14, 2014
3 Comments
You've managed beautiful photos, Lori. Quite stunning! The light was the problem here, and it wouldn't keep still, although it was a joy just to sit and watch it awhile. Every other time I have seen this bird was a dawn when it was racing for cover in the undergrowth. Pictures impossible!
They have a habit of staying in the shadow, the little buggers. They were even underfoot at night, looking to clean up bits of dropped food in the outdoor eating area where we were staying. These are the best photos I managed. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/413...
The closest I've ever been, and more beautiful than I could have imagined. The colour and markings are quite stunning (not that you can tell from these mediocre pics).