At 07:29 5/11/97 -0700, Richard Wood wrote:
>Phil, I cannot speak to Australian birds, but here in Arizona, the Cactus
>wren will expel its tail feathers when frightened or held by the tail. I
>have captured Cactus Wrens that got into the house and most always ended up
>with a handful of tail feathers.
>
>Does this method of survival exist with some Australian birds?
I have seen a Willie Wagtail at Lake Eda near Broome without any tail. It
was still sitting on a small rock, appearing to try to wag its tail as they do.
I know that when banding you have to be careful of a number of species such
as Black-tailed Treecreeper, Western Spinebill.
Whether this is a survival instinct I couldn't comment on.
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