by SEAN WHITE
10th Oct
2018 1:30 PM
GATTON
ornithologist Patrick Webster's work has put the spotlight on one of the
region's rarest birds, the black-breasted button-quail.
Mr
Webster has travelled throughout Queensland researching the endangered bird.
The
black-breasted button-quail was recently spotted at Redwood Park, Toowoomba.
The bird
is listed as a vulnerable species in Queensland and hadn't been seen in
Toowoomba for 20 years prior to this year's spotting.
Mr
Webster said habitat destruction was the leading cause that impacted on bird
numbers.
"It
is a extremely fussy bird when it comes to their habitat. They only live in dry
rainforest or littoral scrub-land," Mr Webster said.
"The
majority of the habitat has been destroyed for development or by introduced
weeds such as cats claw creeper.
"Research
found that 90 per cent of the birds' habitat was destroyed in the 90s.
"The
best thing someone can do to help the species is to report any sightings so we
know where the bird is," Mr Webster.
"The
bird needs to be recognised. Very few people know of them and you can't protect
what you don't know."
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