Rare bird found in Toowoomba after 20 years

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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