Yes it seems most hinted at that they
use different nests as roosts in Winter. That could be another structure or a different type of structure. The entrance tunnel
is a feature but seems not to be a key issue to make a clear distinction. Immelmann wrote: “the length of the tunnel however shows great individual variations: it is almost lacking in some of the breeding nests”. So probably not so clear cut. Or there could
be new information, Immelmann’s book, as good as it is, was first published 50 years ago.........
In the ones I have seen I have not tried or succeeded to choose either way and I don’t think the entrance tunnel is overly obvious, though is better built than
the other southern finches. .
Philip
From: Martin Butterfield [
Sent: Monday, 8 June 2015 4:24 PM
To: Philip Veerman
Cc: kym bradley; COG List
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Firetail finch query
In one book - can't remember which - reference was made to them (DFT) using different nests as roosts in Winter. The key structural difference was the lack of an entrance tunnel in the non breeding
nests. Kym’s photo seems to fit that 'description. I have seen such nests built in Crategus (hawthorn) bushes.
On 8 June 2015 at 14:54, Philip Veerman <> wrote:
I’m not quite sure what is the question. It certainly looks like a typical Diamond Firetail nest, so
they probably built it. With no leaves on the bush it looks very exposed and not very safe. Is it in a Pyracantha or maybe Cotoneaster? They are known to build roost nests outside the breeding season, which could be what is happening here, it is unclear from
HANZAB if for just a pair or the group. Immelmann’s book says that more than other finches, they like to continue to add to the nest after it is basically finished. Whether they use nests beyond one breeding event is something I don’t know.
Philip
From: kym
bradley [
Sent: Monday, 8 June 2015 6:52 AM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Firetail finch query
On 6/6/15 I came across numerous Firetail finches, they were all around what appears to be a nest, would they be looking for
nest opportunities or ????
There were a few young ones, the photo does NOT show them all
