Interesting, Marg. The inference is that a cat would take the whole bird, but a slower dog might only capture the tail. In any case, it would need to be a pretty agile dog to get
the tail of a Yellow-faced Honeyeater. Almost certainly not a labrador … On the general question of comparing qualities, cats might be faster than dogs but they are not as loyal or affectionate.
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Marg Peachey via Canberrabirds
Sent: Friday, 15 May 2026 9:31 PM
To: Denise Kay <>
Cc: Canberra Birds <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Yellow faced honeyeater migration
Thanks for your input. The bird is not undergoing a moult. It was caught by a dog and lost all tail feathers except the central pair. It has been in care since 22nd April. All other tail feathers have regrown and are almost fully grown.
I suspect it was a simple loss of feathers from a dog grabbing the tail feathers and it was lucky not to have lost the whole lot. We regularly see birds presenting with missing tail feathers after a dog attack. Dogs are not as fast as
cats!
My query was more about releasing it since it has missed the migration opportunity so I was interested to read that it might go on its way regardless of not having company, or overwinter here. Our concern was that there may not be enough
food for it here during the colder months and perhaps it might be better being taken to the coast where presumably the food would be more plentiful.
The Botanic Gardens is a good option though. It is pretty highly strung and stressed in captivity so it needs to go very soon.
On Fri, 15 May 2026 at 12:54, Denise Kay <> wrote:
Thank you so much for your advice Phillip, Kim and Lia.
It is very valuable information for bird rescuers and carers.
I am not sure if the bird is moulting though or if it was a cat or dog attack?
We do specialise in the common native birds as they represent most of the birds coming into care ( magpies, pigeons tawnies etc) from vets and the general public. Canberrans as you know are very devoted to our bird population.
We might pop it up to the botanical gardens in a week.
I have copied Marg into your replies she has the bird.
Thank you again for your support and valuable information.
Denise
On 15 May 2026, at 11:57 am, Kim Farley <> wrote:
Hi Denise and Philip
My email to you, Denise, has overlapped with Philip's. You have some good advice from him!
I would add that the Yellow faced Honeyeater autumn migration is pretty much finished for the season though a few birds are still moving north in groups of various sizes. Release might work best if it happened at a known migration route.
We know where these are.
My other thought is that some Yellow faced Honeyeaters overwinter in Canberra. I have no idea if those birds differ from the birds that do migrate (eg young birds?). Maybe no-one does. But possibly this particular could survive just as
well if released where it was rescued to overwinter here on Canberra? Philip or others will likely have more expert views than I on these points.
On Fri, 15 May 2026, 11:46 am Philip Veerman via Canberrabirds, <>
wrote:
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: [Canberrabirds] 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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