Bob Shell wrote: > > It may have something to do with predators. The native marsupial > predators in Australia are more primitive than the mammal predators > we have in North America. Maybe that translates to less efficient > predation.
Feral cats and foxes are now a real problem to native birds in Australia. > Also, bright colors are not a disadvantage when your predators are > color blind. Also, the bright colors are actually really good camouflage believe it or not. The Rainbow lorikeets and rosellas are very well hidden in the tree tops where they feed on flowers. > I'd be interested to know how many birds of prey > live in Australia. Lots, but I don't have my bird book with me so I can't give you a hard number. I think snakes prey on a lot of birds too. -- Christian http://photography.skofteland.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net

