Have you ever wondered what makes the circles that appear in leaf mulch beneath the undergrowth around Teewah? Recently we have answered this question for ourselves by placing trail cameras amongst the circles.

The answer is Black-breasted Button-quails.

These are little birds about 15-20 cm long which spend their lives scurrying about in the undergrowth singly or in small family groups. They are uncommon and rarely seen because they usually freeze or hide when disturbed.

The most interesting thing about them is how they produce the circles or “platelets” which are about 15cm in diameter and appear on the edges of tracks and under bushes around Teewah. They sit on one leg and spin rapidly around, flicking a wing, as shown below. This disturbs insects for them to eat, leaving a dish-shaped hollow in the leaf litter.