Fwd: [canberrabirds] Goshawk feeding on grass caterpillars

[Denis Wilson <>]

Previous message bounced.
Trying again.

Interesting suggestion Philip - Thanks.

We did consider the Baza as a possibility, briefly, yesterday.
I was inclined to discount it, for geographic reasons, but since your suggestion, I have double checked from Internet sources, and sure enough, there was a possible breeding record from a reserve in Tullimbah in 2006, close to where the dead bird was found (in 2011).

I am still inclined to think the plumage does not quite look right, and there is no sign of a crest. But of course, if it is a juvenile, that might not yet have developed.

Interestingly, the nostril is a diagonal slit.
That would appear right according to this site.
http://www.wiresnr.org/Pacificbaza.html
See also the detailed "eyes" shot attached  (WIRES image).
It is the shape of the nostrils I am focussing on. The specimen's eyes had sunken when I saw it. But the nostril is good.
Also, the legs and feet are white, not yellow.
That also appears to fit better with the Baza.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalemengelphotography/5253356147/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Furthermore, the details in this other head image attached reveal fine black lines in the "rachis" of the feathers around the eyes. Similar markings appear in the WIRES eye shot also attached.

To compare the nostril shape with Br. Goshawk, the best close-up shot on COG Gallery is one of Geoffrey's.
http://photogallery.canberrabirds.org.au/images/Goshawk_Brown2_Dabb.jpg
That image clearly shows a round nostril opening.

Incidentally while Bazas are well known to be insectivorous, it would be a better fit is the insect was a tree-dwelling Katydid, not grass caterpillars. It has clearly been feeding from the ground. Unusual for Bazas.

For those with access to HANZAB, is there any discussion of such nostril shape details there?

Once again, thanks for suggestion, Philip. Shame the corpse was not in better condition. I am now almost persuaded it is a Baza.

Peter Ormay, unfortunately, the corpse was too damaged for preservation as a specimen. Point taken with ID of caterpillars, but unfortunately, it has now been disposed of.

Denis

On Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 10:28 PM, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

Yes that would be odd but at a stress time of year for a young bird, unusual or even very unusual food may not be so unusual. Is there any possibility that it was a young Pacific Baza and not a young Goshawk?

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----
From: martin butterfield [
Sent: Thursday, 28 July 2011 12:23 PM
To: Denis Wilson
Cc: COG bird discussions
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Goshawk feeding on grass caterpillars

Denis

I could find no mention of caterpllars in the list of items in HANZAB.  However i doubt if much of a juicy caterpillar would be identifiable in pellets (or even stomach contents) which appeared to be the source of much of the evidence..

Martin

On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:07 PM, Denis Wilson <> wrote:

Dear COG members

A friend of mine at Albion Park (south from Wollongong) saw a road-killed bird which puzzled her (re the ID).
I went down there last night to see the bird while it was still fresh.

The bird had severe damage to the head, unfortunately, so it was not suitable for CSIRO collection.
It turned out to be a female Brown Goshawk, of immature stage - probably 2nd year.
It was a large bird - wingspan 88 cm. hence my ID of a female bird.
It was a little smoother in markings than Roger Curnow's immature Br. Goshawk - but generally similar in appearance.
Some heavy markings on chest and back, but showing some signs of developing the smooth rufous colour on side of neck.

It had a beak full of green caterpillars.
They look like grass-feeding moth caterpillars.
Perhaps something from the Noctuidae
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/noctuidae/noctuidae.html
The bird was found in dairy farm country, south from Dapto.
It has green grass stains on beak and some feathers, plus on one foot.

This strikes me as unusual feeding habits for a Goshawk.
Can someone pls check if this is reported in HANZAB?
--
Denis Wilson
"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com


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Denis Wilson
"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com

-- 
Denis Wilson
"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com

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