While the fantails that the two Terry's have seen are almost certainly the local race
alisteri it is quite possible to get the Tasmanian race albiscapa potentially passing through the local area on migration during autumn and winter. There is a banding recovery of a Tasmanian banded bird found dead near (from memory) Taree in
NSW. The Charcoal Tank banding team has captured some rather weird plumaged birds in winter that potentially were the Tasmanian race but without any recaptures in Tasmania, it is just speculation on my part as to what exact race they were.
Am I missing something here? On my quick look at 2 relevant books, I find the subspecies alisteri is the one in south east Australia (from South Australia to SE Qld). Thus pretty much all the Grey Fantails in our region are that one. Thus you are reporting the one we always see here.
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Canberrabirds On Behalf Of Terry Bell via Canberrabirds
Sent: Tuesday, 9 March, 2021 10:13 PM
To: chatline canberrabirds
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Grey fantail spp alisteri
The Terriers x 2 visited the Jerrabomberra wetlands on Monday afternoon to discover a hive of activity very close between the car park and first hide.
I suppose you could call it an early MFF with a profusion of small birds.
Although the species I am describing was was often within 5 metres I was unable to photograph it due to constant movement and thick undergrowth.
Like all of I have frequently observed grey fan tails over a lifetime of birding activity without giving them any particular scrutiny. However , one bird really attracted my attention because it did not appear to have much grey plumage at all .
As I remarked to senior birder T 1 , the underparts were clearly coloured a soft fawn shade.
Now at home and after checking with my field guide ( Menkhorst ) I consider the bird in question belongs to the Alisteri sub species.
I would be interested to learn whether any more experienced COG members could confirm my initial identification.
Sent from my iPad
