Pied Currawong observation

[Roman Soroka via Canberrabirds <>]

Thank you Mark. 

I am not sure that the beak will grow back. Comparing photographs of this bird taken in 2019 to those taken this year there is no significant change to the beak.

I think you are right about the inability to preen, she looks like a different bird for a few weeks when she has new feathers.

Roman

---

From: Canberrabirds <> on behalf of Mark Clayton via Canberrabirds <>
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2022 11:49:59 AM
To: <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Pied Currawong observation

 

Roman,

I would think the beak is the result of an accident or something a bit more sinister on the part of a person with a dislike of currawongs. The female, despite the fact that she is raising a brood, looks very dishevelled and probably can't preen herself properly. From some species of birds with damaged beaks that I have handled while banding, it will eventually grow back but will probably take quite a while to do so.

Mark

On 11/12/2022 11:39 am, Roman Soroka via Canberrabirds wrote:

 

 

I was interested to read about a currawong with a beak abnormality that was reported in Gang Gang by Jack Holland. We also have a currawong with a beak abnormality that has been visiting our Chisholm garden since 2019. I believe it is a female, and despite having half of her upper mandible missing she has managed to raise two young every year since 2019. I observed her feeding two young in our garden today.

 

I wonder if the beak abnormality is genetic, due to disease, or as a result of injury?

 

Roman

 

ATT00001.txt
Description: ATT00001.txt