David Andrew gets to vent his spleen every so often, regarding proper
use of the English language. I'd like to inflame a few passions now in
having a lash at this "phase versus morph" thing.
A grey phase Nankeen Kestrel is one that presumably will return to
normal nankeen colouration later on, ie. it's going through a phase.
However, a grey morph Nankeen Kestrel will presumably retain that
genetic makeup until death.
So, if you feel the need to be "nitpickingly" accurate, talk about white
morph Grey Goshawks, pale morph Little Eagles, black morph White-winged
Fairy-wrens, etc. - rather than white phase, .... etc.
That feels better ..
On the subject of colour in birds, a friend in Geelong had recently been
observing a strange looking honeyeater in his garden. One night it had
found itself confined in the neighbour's greenhouse, so Ira took his
chance, captured the bird, and rang me. It turned out to be a New
Holland Honeyeater, but one considerably lacking in melanin. The beak
and legs were horn coloured, the eyes pinkish, most of the plumage a
washed out pale buff-grey, but the white and yellow feathers quite
normal. Is this a "leucistic" bird, or just a "negatively melanistic"
bird?? ;-)
Lawrie Conole
Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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