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"The
young birds practice flying in the safety of the cavities," reveals
Bertrand Baptiste. "They need the space to flap their wings."
With
a team of scientists, the bird expert is studying the nesting behavior
of the spectacular birds, found nowhere in the world but on Dominica,
the "nature island". In order to observe the birds without
disturbing them, the researchers place hidden cameras in and around the
nesting cavities – no easy task.
"Only
the towering giants deep in the jungle have cavities that are big enough,"
says Baptiste. "The entrance also needs to be well camouflaged with
ferns and climbers to satisfy the females." Her imperial highness
lays a single egg and tends her noble offspring until it can fly. The
male never enters the nest; his job is to supply food, first for his
queen, and then for the prince or princess as well.
The
scientists hope their observations will help them find a way to keep the
winged royals from extinction. "There are only 150, at most 200 of
them left out there," estimates Baptiste. |
