I also checked out the zebra finches at Dunlop. I went in assuming they were
going to be escapees. After the others left, Marnix and I had good views of two
males and one female zebra finch in the dead hawthorn.
Their behaviour: Escapees may sometimes display poor predator avoidance.
[Escapees often learn predator avoidance behaviour quickly, in days, or
alternatively they may be killed]. Two out of the three birds hung-out low down
in the hawthorn. When a sparrowhawk flew bye they flew further down. This was a
sign of good predator avoidance. The other bird however remained in the outer
branches for most of the time. It was a little strange that these birds were in
a hawthorn in the middle of a paddock when trees nearbye may have been safer.
In my view their behaviour was not convincingly wild or captive escapees.
Colour/Markings: These days it is pretty rare to get pure grey zebra finches.
Check any pet shop and almost all grey birds have some pied feathers, or are
non grey colours. All three birds were pure normal grey. This reduces the
chance of them being escaped pet birds.
Pure grey zebra finches are kept by some bird keepers, mainly those that show
birds. Between about 1983 and 1995 the show Standard required pure white belly
feathers. This was changed to include off-white feathers in about 1995 but most
show birds still have white bellys. The birds at Dunlop had off white (which I
believe is the same as wild zebra finches from SE Aust). The female was also
paler grey than most show birds and all three had bigger/longer tear drops and
whiter lores than most show birds (but common in wild birds). Their 'type' was
not show bird 'type' ie the shape as in the show Standard.
So taking these things into account I think there is about a 70% probability
that the 3 dunlop zebra finches are likely to be wild birds.
Benj Whitworth
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Barr
Sent: Tuesday, 15 March 2005 12:31 PM
To:
Subject: Zebra Finches at Dunlop
At least two Zebra Finches seen in bushes along Jarramlee Homestead Road this
morning associating with the local Diamond Firetails and Superb Blue
Wrens. First I've seen in Canberra for more than 20 years. Nearly a
kilometre from any housing. Are these likely to be true visitors or yet more
escapees?
Joe Barr
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