Observations on Parental and Fledging Behaviour of Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfishers Tanysiptera sylvia

Abstract

The parental behaviour and fledging of a family of Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfishers Tanysiptera sylvia were observed on the four nestlings' last two days in the nest at Mt Charlton, Mackay, Queensland, on 9-10 February 1994. The nesting territory was visited regularly over the ensuing two months. The nestling period lasted at least 26 days; parental feeding visits averaged 1.6 per hour on the nestlings' last two days, with both sexes contributing almost equally. Fledging occurred over two days. The juveniles remained in the natal territory for a month after fledging, and the adults for a further month during which the presumed female was moulting.