Not that I study field guides. However the occasional plumage abnormality is rarely, if at all, mentioned. It would get confusing to include them. Unless they
have become so established to represent regular variants. However, I think it would be wise for field guides to include a section describing in general, the type of things that do occur. They are sort of well known.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of calyptorhynchus via Canberrabirds
Sent: Friday, 9 May, 2025 10:42 AM
To:
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Oddly marked Superb Parrot
Today at Hughes Oval, near the pavilion, I saw a pair of Superb Parrots feeding on the ground. As I ran past I saw a male and a female (bluish head), and they both flew away but I was surprised to see that the female had yellow patches
in its wings. These didn’t seem to be wing coverts, like the yellow patches in Regent Parrot plumage, but it seem to be towards the back of the wing, so the secondaries I guess, because they were only exposed in flight.
I can’t find any mention of these markings in any of the field guides. Has anybody seen anything like this before?
