Book review-Amazing Annoying Birds

Amazing Annoying Birds – Living with Australian Brush-Turkeys –Ann Göth

Could a book title summarise any better the community sentiment felt towards these birds! Love or hate them, the way we feel about these avian critters tends to be quite polarised. I remember when we chose Brush Turkey Enterprises as the name for our business 25 years ago, it drew a mixed response. We also figured it was memorable and apt, considering we started off as a rainforest seed collection business and spent lots of time scratching around in rainforest leaf litter for seed, and Brush Turkey’s are also important in the development and spread of rainforest, so a worthy emblem for our business. Twenty-five years on I’ve even been honoured with the Jinibara name of Wawun-Dja “Scrub Turkey Man” for our ecological restoration / healing country work on our adopted home country of the Blackall Range, Queensland.

Twenty or so years ago I was fortunate enough to meet Ann Goth in the earlier stages of her research into these Amazing Annoying Birds while she was based in Maleny, SE QLD looking for Brush Turkey mounds. I’ve followed with interest her research over the years – research that well and truly should tip us all into using the ‘Amazing’ epithet, because the story of the ecology and lifecycle of these birds is well and truly amazing. That said however, I’ve also lost crops of potatoes, taro, Queensland arrowroot, yacon, banana etc… to our namesake, which again leaves one feeling somewhat conflicted…

But let’s get back to the book. It was great to hear from Ann earlier this year about her recent publishing of this book, which after reading it, I think should be on the bookshelves of all the gardeners who have perceived conflicts with Brush Turkeys or bush regenerators in rainforests or other vegetation communities where these megapodes are a keystone species.

This book is a first-ever comprehensive summary of all things Brush Turkey Alectura lathamii. It covers all the current scientific knowledge on these megapodes, but in an engaging easy to read format. Chapters cover all things Brush Turkey, from First Peoples culture and stories to the impacts on backyard gardener’s to the science and ecology that Ann is one of the best people to be talking about! A particularly engaging aspect of this book are the many interviews of people living and working with Brush Turkeys, which brings a genuine community feel to this publication.

As outlined by Ann, topics covered in this book include:

Reasons behind their relentless and daring move into our suburbs
How the media portrays them as fearless invaders and other things
Little-known secrets about an unusual incubation method and approach to child-rearing
Promiscuous and mischievous happenings on the incubation mounds
Devoted parents who invest in their young so differently from other birds
Indigenous and other knowledge about these native birds
Methods for deterring them
Insider confessions from managers dealing with Brush Turkey conflicts
How you can help them in the city

I must admit I’m biased, having a long-term love affair with the Brush Turkey, but this book is well worth a read and adding to your bookshelf.