Irruption

Crimson Chat (photos by Alwyn)

An irruption is a sudden, dramatic increase in a bird population in an area. Because of the boom or bust nature of the Channel Country many of the birds here have developed the ability to breed quickly to take advantage of a change in conditions, or to migrate in mass to follow food availability.

The Crimson Chat is able to do both of these and there were huge numbers on the floodplain. While they have the brush tongue of the honeyeater, they primarily feed on insects close to the ground. However they can supplement this diet with nectar and soft fruits when available - another adaptation that explains their success in this environment.