Yes I wondered about that too. The beak is sufficiently damaged to have the underlying bone also broken off. Whilst the keratin part of the beak could grow
again (and if it would I would expect it to be deformed). But when the bone is also broken, it would appear unlikely to grow back the normally covering keratin. Though that is just my expectation, and the mention of no change in 3 years would support it.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of Roman Soroka via Canberrabirds
Sent: Sunday, 11 December, 2022 1:54 PM
To: Mark Clayton;
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Pied Currawong observation
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.
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
