Pictures capture moment man takes hatchet to bird’s nest in Cairns

A white-haired bespectacled man has been captured taking a hatchet to the nest of one of Queensland’s most iconic bird species. Warning: Disturbing content

COLOURFUL SPECIMEN: The Buff-Breasted Paradise-Kingfisher.

A white-haired bespectacled man has been captured taking a hatchet to the nest of one of Queensland’s most iconic bird species.

The research camera was set up by James Cook University environmental science students undertaking a project in Far North Queensland to capture wildlife in the area surrounding the Cairns suburb of Smithfield who believe the man may have been attempting to poach eggs.

It was one of six locations which they set up after they spotted the spectacular buff breasted paradise kingfisher enter a nest burrowed into a termite mound.

The birds, native to Papua New Guinea and Far North Queensland, are known for their bright blue and yellow plumage and long white tail feathers often seen flicking up and down in the brush.

JCU student Murray Kelman said they were shocked when they saw what the footage had captured.

A research camera has captured a man destroying a termite mound nest of the rare buff breasted paradise kingfisher with a hatchet with researchers claiming it could only be an act of poaching. Photo: Supplied

“We saw this fella just walk up with a tomahawk and he splits open this nest,” he said.

“It was pretty surprising.

“He is a bit of an idiot for not seeing the camera right there.”

Mr Kelman suspected the man was attempting to poach eggs for the illegal wildlife trade.

“They are quite a spectacular bird and you have got to imagine they have quite a market value in the wildlife trade which is well and thriving in Australia,” he said.

“It was an active nest. You could see the hole there with eggs inside.”

Mr Kelman said the students were unsure if the man made off with any eggs because the camera only captured a sequence of still images.

“We don’t have photos with him with eggs, just him destroying the nest,” he said.

“You’d imagine it was someone connected to the birding world and has some knowledge themselves, they probably call themselves a naturalist.

A research camera has captured a man destroying a termite mound nest of the rare buff breasted paradise kingfisher with a hatchet with researchers claiming it could only be an act of poaching. Photo: Supplied

“Who knows what might be of the eggs now they might be under incubation but hard to tell.

“It’s going to take a lot of specialist knowledge, looking after a young hatchling is not easy.”

Mr Kelman said the buff breasted paradise kingfisher is a special bird for people in the Far North, especially avid birdwatchers.

“It’s quite a special bird, they only come here for half the year from Papua New Guinea to breed,” he said.

“Every birder gets a bit excited when they see one of these because they are quite elusive.”

He said parent kingfishers usually only have a small number of eggs but spend more time with their young ensuring they survive.

Buff-Breasted Paradise-Kingfisher.

“They build their nests to keep natural predators out but obviously no match for a tomahawk.”

The students have reported the activity to the relevant authorities and are hoping by spreading the message they will be able to identify the man.

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch, an advocate against wildlife poaching and a keen bird breeder, said if the man was at the scene to engage in poaching, the behaviour was “disgusting”.

“I hope everything is done to identify him so he can face the full force of the law,” he said.

“It’s just disgusting to see someone interfering with native species.

“Surely he can be identified.

“Nothing good can come out of it,” he said.

“It’s just a disgrace.”

It comes a month after a US hunting influencer was condemned by the nation for interfering with a wombat joey.

If you have any information about crimes against wildlife, please contact Crime Stoppers Queensland on 1800 333 000 and to report suspected wildlife poaching or illegal activities in Queensland, you can contact the Wildlife Hotline at 1300 130 372 or email [e-mail].

Originally published as Pictures capture moment man takes hatchet to bird’s nest in Cairns