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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