A large part of the Magnetic Island birdlife has been under stress recently due to the fact that the Queen of the Jungle went into Townsville University Hospital for a much needed hip operation . Her absence disrupted the regular daily feeding of the many birds that visit the royal estate .
In fact, it is a recognised welcoming drop inn by all birds , resident and passing . Why she even places her long grey hair in containers for birds to take and use building nests . Spanish Moss is also available for nest construction.
In the past , her largest aviary was used to study the life of Torres Strait Pigeons .
While the Queen was absent , large numbers of concerned Curlews , above , daily gathered outside the portcullis , keen to hear her latest medical report , and an indication of when things will get back to normal on the chuck wagon side .
One Curlew , which goes under the name , Daddy, has a harem , yet hangs out a lot on his own , and is fed chicken hearts, often in short supply .
Another irksome Curlew has a habit of flying in about 2am , squawking loudly outside the Queen's bedchamber, demanding to be fed.
Many noisy Cockatoos visit and one is nicknamed Naughty because in his search for food he pulls open any containers on the back verandah and throwns them down on the ground .
One of the pampered Kookaburras in a flap due to the Queen's operation was the above cute one which regularly lands near her , seated on the back verandah, and opens his beak , indicating he needs feeding.
Missing of late has been a cheeky Currawong she helped , who responded by flying in from time to time, sitting on the back of her chair, playing with her hair , nibbling an ear .
