Where does the mutton bird live?
Tasmania
Mutton Bird is a contemporary dance representation of the mutton birds (shearwaters) that inhabit the coastal areas of Tasmania, and their significance as the totem to the clan to which Mathinna belonged.
Are there mutton birds in Australia?
The Muttonbird or Short-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris, only breeds in Australia and is probably Australia’s most abundant seabird. It is a circum-Pacific migrant ranging to the Antarctic Circle in the breeding season and to the far North Pacific Ocean in the non-breeding season.
Where do sooty shearwaters live?
Sooty shearwaters breed on small islands in the south Pacific and south Atlantic Oceans, mainly around New Zealand, the Falkland Islands, Tierra del Fuego, and in the Auckland Islands and Phillip Island off Norfolk Island.
Are mutton birds extinct?
Least Concern (Population decreasing)
Short-tailed shearwater/Conservation status
Why is the mutton birds killed for food?
The hazards of migration In some years, enormous numbers of short-tailed shearwaters can be found dying or dead on the beaches along the coast of NSW. The reasons for these deaths are not entirely clear, but scientists think that starvation and exhaustion on the birds’ southerly migrations are the main causes.
Where are mutton birds killed?
Each year around 100,000 short tailed shearwaters (mutton birds) are killed for their meat, oil and feathers in Tasmania. The short tailed shearwaters negotiate an incredible 30,000 km journey from the Arctic Region all the way to the southern parts of Australia.
How do mutton birds navigate?
Muttonbird Island off the coast of NSW, has long provided a safe nesting sight for hundreds-of-thousands of seabirds over the centuries. “The seabirds take-off at night and navigate in part by light on the horizon. They can become disorientated by the light source inland at Coffs Harbour.
How are mutton birds killed?
In one fluid movement drop the bird (or allow the bird to fall) until it reaches a position just lower than horizontal (when the weight of the bird is felt), then snap the hand and wrist upwards and towards yourself (like when cracking a whip) while pressing the thumb firmly into position below the base of the skull.
What does a mutton bird taste like?
A salty, earthy, taste lingers, rather like when one eats duck. But the small pieces in the dish are like tiny pieces of venison.
How are mutton birds harvested?
Muttonbirds. Muttonbird may refer to various seabirds, particularly petrels in the genus Puffinus, called shearwaters, where the young birds are harvested for food and oil by being extracted by hand from the nesting burrows before they fledge.
How migratory birds find their way from one location to another?
The birds making the migration journey on their own, know their way by ” instinct “. Others, flying in groups, have to learn the way with their parents during the first journey. That is the case of geese, cranes and swans.
How do birds know where South is?
Birds can use the stars as navigational aids in the same way. Some species of birds have a highly-magnetic mineral called magnetite in their brains. Experts believe this mineral may help birds detect Earth’s magnetic field and use it to guide them south.
How long is the walk to Mutton Bird Island?
Tracks may have short steep hill sections a rough surface and many steps. Walks up to 20km. Mutton Bird Island is the jewel in the crown of Coffs Harbour. Surrounded by ocean sparkling in shades of blue, the island affords views of the Coffs Coast and hinterland from a unique, off-shore perspective.
When is the hunting season for Mutton Birds?
The commercial hunting season runs from the 27th of March through to the 30th of April. The recreational season runs from the 3rd of April through to the 18th of April. Recreational hunters are allowed to take 15 to 25 birds, depending on the colony. Thus a single licenced recreational muttonbirder can take up to 400 chicks per season.
What happens to the chicks of a mutton bird?
The young chicks are ripped from their burrows and then are supposed to have their necks quickly broken thus resulting in death. However, there is no training for the killing procedures and particularly those involved with the recreational killing may be inexperienced.
Why is Muttonbird Island important to shearwaters?
This is an important roosting and breeding site for the Wedge-tailed Shearwater. Signage along the way explains the lifecycle of these migratory birds. It is important to stay on the track as the burrows are extremely fragile and the plant cover provides little protection from cave-ins which can be disastrous for the birds.