Passengers waiting for an early morning ferry from Magnetic Island to Townsville recently were joined by a friendly person : a talkative bird which had been looked after and released by a wildlife carer who is also a popular bush poet , Nick Mapson .
With a large vocabulary , possibly able to discuss Wall Street overnight movements and breaking news, only kidding, it flew from person to peron grouped about the Coffee Kart , uttering a word or three , wanting to chat.
Some people were startled, even afraid of the spruiker , a Noisy Friarbird, also known as a Leatherhead.
Waiting for the ferry was the Queen of the Jungle, a veteran wildlife carer , who immediately identified the feathered intruder.
She told people not to worry , they were not being attacked , it was just a bird who likes human company.
A message went out on the island with two shots of the bird sitting on the arm of someone , asking if anyone was missing a pet , now at the Coffee Kart, Nelly Bay.
Over the years , the Queen has kept and conversed with several Leatherheads . Three of their fallen nests decorate her back verandah. One of the chatty Currawongs she looked after used to fly away , come back now and again , land on her shoulder, stroke her hair .
The poet is currently looking after two possums .
