"stained" birds

[Gary Davidson <>]

If I might offer a North American perspective on the issue of "coloured" birds.  This phenomenon occurs in a number of our birds, and not always for the same reason.  Swans, both Trupeter and Tundra, (which are white) often have a brownish or orangish stain on their head and necks.  This results from constant probing for food in iron-rich mud.  Ring-billed Gulls sometimes develop a pinkish wash on their breast and belly.  This is caused by foods that they eat.  I'm sorry but I've forgotten the details on this one, but I think shrimp is one of the food items that is rich in the chemical that causes this colour change.  There is a researcher doing work on this species now, I contributed some data to the cause last year, but unfortunately all of my stuff is still at home in Canada.  

 

By the way, I have had no response to my request of last week for contact from other Tassie birders.  Surely there must be some out there!?

 

Gary Davidson

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