Helen,
Thanks. I received a compelling photo showing a rufous morph molting in black
body feathers. I think that should settle the matter. The rufous morph is
temporary and occurs only in juveniles and immatures.
Thanks to all for clarifying this.
Sent from my iPad
> On Oct 8, 2014, at 6:32 PM, Helen Larson <> wrote:
>
> Hello Joseph
> The Black butcherbirds around us (Mission Beach, Far North Queensland)
> have rufous young but they change to black sometime after parents have sent
> them off to fend for themselves it seems. These are skulkers that hide in our
> garden hunting our lizards but spend most time in the forest behind us so
> it's difficult to see how the change happens. All the birds that sing and
> carol well are black; though I have watched one browny-rufous bird sing from
> a tree nearby some time ago; a short song though and I think it must be all
> black now as we have not noticed it.
> Helen
>
> <')/////==<
>
> > From:
> > To:
> > Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2014 08:29:02 -0700
> > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Rufous morph of Black Butcherbird quesiton.
> >
> > I understand the rufous morph of the Black Butcherbird occurs only in the
> > race Cracticus quoyi rufescens. What is not clear is whether this morph is
> > confined to juveniles/immatures or if it is retained until adulthood. One
> > source (Simpson & Day 7th edition) mentions in passing that the species may
> > breed in brown plumage. If so, that suggests to me that the rufous morph
> > may be permanent.
> >
> > Do rufous morph Black Butcherbirds turn black as adults or not? What is
> > the evidence that they do?
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> > --
> > Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA
> > "It turns out we're very good at not seeing things" - Jack Hitt
> >
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