The Yellow-Breasted Boatbill (Machaerirhynchus flaviventer) is a small flycatcher restricted to rainforest habitats in North Queensland. They are found from the Paluma Range north to Cape York. They tend to inhabit the middle storey of rainforests where they forage for food, mostly catching insects whilst in flight. They have a broad bill with long distinctive ‘whiskers’. The male bird has brilliant yellow and black plumage while the female is duller in colour.
From my recent conversations with some of our local bird watchers at Paluma it seems the Yellow-Breasted Boatbill is not commonly sighted at Paluma. This might be because this small bird tends to frequent the mid-high canopy in its search for food, or perhaps they are not locally common in the village?
On Sunday (11 July) I was lucky enough to come across some keen bird watchers and friends (Greg and Michael) who were eagerly photographing this male Boatbill (below) at the Village Green. The bird was flitting in and out of the canopy in the large trees at the western end of the Green. Greg has kindly shared the photographs below. If you haven’t yet seen the Yellow-Breasted Boatbill, keep your eye out next time you visit the Village Green. Just look for a flash of brilliant yellow way up high in the canopy!
Text by Michele Bird and Photographs kindly shared by Greg Calvert
Have seen these fellas on the forest walk next to our house, but only a few times and not recently , great to know they’re still in Paluma
WOW What a wonderful sighting. Andre Griffin would have been pleased to see this lovely bird outside her home next to the Village Green. Kind regards Cam Mackenzie
Hi cam
It’s good to see you are still keeping an eye on what is happening in our little piece of paradise. When I saw your name I thought that you might be able to help with some information and maybe even a photo of the original bridge over Cloudy creek, rumour has it that you may have had something to do with it’s construction?? We’ve been talking to QPWS about a new bridge, as the track from Cloudy to Ethel creek is part of the walking track system and Cloudy creek crossing is very dangerous when wet.
regards
wilfred