Hello Denise,
Your question demonstrates a commendable concern for one common little bird.
Birds (apart from ducks and a few others) normally moult their feathers in a
more sequenced and gradual way, so that the process is normally not so
obvious. But it is not that odd to see wild birds that have lost most or
their whole tail. All birds moult all their feathers every year (or maybe
two for some large birds and some birds moult some of their feathers twice a
year. So the process is normal and they are equipped to survive that.) As
you describe, the other feathers to be at a cm long, that would suggest they
are new and growing. If so, I suggest if it is well fed, it should take a
lot less than one month for the two remaining ones to fall out and for the
full batch of new feathers to reach proper length or at least long enough to
be fully functional. Probably more like a week but that is a bit of an
educated guess.
I wonder what you mean by lost all but the two main tail feathers. Are they
2 opposite outer feathers or two adjacent feathers on one side or the two
central feathers. That would demonstrate at what stage it is. There is lots
of information about moult sequence but finding it for tails of honeyeaters
is a not obvious more time consuming. Most birds moult central tail feathers
first, then sequentially out. Presumably it is also moulting wing and body
at the same time.
As to whether this uneven moult would hamper it. Maybe statistically a bit.
Maybe banders will know if this species normally migrates during, before or
after moult. But migration and moult are what they all do every year. Also,
many are taken by predators every year.
As to where they go. In spite of all the tracking. We really don't know.
Generally eastwards in our area and generally northwards as the get to the
coast.
It is hard to suggest why taking it to the south coast would help. That
doesn't get it any further north. The risk of predation is similar wherever
it is. Is the stress and possible disorientation of captivity better than
its normal timing of migration?
The White-naped Honeyeater has a short tail and does the same journey just
fine..
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Canberrabirds On Behalf Of Denise Kay via Canberrabirds
Sent: Friday, 15 May, 2026 8:25 AM
To: Canberra Birds <>
Subject: Yellow faced honeyeater migration
Good morning
We ( Act Wildlife) have an adult YellowFaced Honeyeater that has lost all
but the two main tail feathers the rest of the tail feathers only a
centimetre short. We are concerned the lack of tail feathers will compromise
its normal migration.
Question 1. Would the lack of YFH tail feathers expose it to predators and
hamper its migration progress if released in a month ( hopefully with a
better endowment of feathers ) ?
Question 2. Where do they migrate to ? We can take to the south coast and
release ?
Many thanks
Denise
ACTWildlife
0467506167
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