FW: Feather ID

[Philip Veerman <>]

Thanks for answer. No the 2^nd one is certainly not from a collared sparrowhawk (much too close to black & white, rather than two shades of brown). Not from a Boobook either. Again much too close to black & white, also it shows no sign of the fluffiness of owl feathers. Feathers can last for months or years if protected from weather and soil fauna and microorganisms.

 

To see a bird species nearby recently could logically include it in the options but doesn’t much add to the chances that a feather is from it……… Every bird loses (moults) all of its feathers every year, some birds do it for part of their feathers twice a year.

 

 

 

From: tlann rail [
Sent: Monday, 1 April, 2024 12:11 AM
To: Philip Veerman
Cc:
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Feather ID

 

My apologies, Philip.  The barred feather is 13cm from the quill tip to the end of the feather. We thought it may be a koel feather although they have not been seen or heard for weeks.  Could it perhaps be a collared sparrow hawk feather?  We se them hunting nearby from time to time.  A boobook has also been calling recently.  I should also have mentioned that we are in Higgins.

 

On Sun, 31 Mar 2024 at 11:15 PM, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

Hello,

 

The buff coloured feather is definitely the tail feather of a Barn Owl. It should feel a bit soft and fluffy. The other one is nowhere near as easy barring is common in a lot of raptors, owls, cuckoos, etc. but the backward directed barring is typical of the tail feather of a female Koel. So that is my suggestion even though one isolated feather is not so easy to be confident. That one should not feel soft and fluffy.

 

I am assuming you did not find these two together.

 

Including a ruler for showing size is always helpful.

 

Philip

 

 

From: Canberrabirds [ On Behalf Of tlann rail via Canberrabirds
Sent: Sunday, 31 March, 2024 6:38 PM
To: CanberraBirds email list
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Feather ID

 

Hello There, was wondering whether anyone could assist with some feather ID?  Could it be an owl?  Have heard a boobook recently.  Or perhaps a kookaburra?  These too have been visiting.

 

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