Hello Jacqui,
I can advise on your question but I can't advise
you at all whether they were Goldfinches, as there are many possibilities that
may fit what you actually described. However if you think that is what they are
then you are probably correct. The same question was asked about Pied
Currawongs in Canberra and the answer is most likely the
same as for your Goldfinch question. The tail was probably not barred but
there is an explanation.
Here it is:
(A) Hi Paul,
It is usual at this time of
year and there are a few around my place like this. It is because each tail
feather is black with a white tip. During moulting, the inner tail feathers grow
first, followed by the outer ones. Therefore whilst the inner tail feathers are
full grown, the outer ones are still part grown. Also the tail shape is rounded
or wedge-shaped, rather than forked and so you get that barred effect, there is
still just the white tip to each feather but the tips are layered rather than
aligned.
Actually I think they are Geelong Currawongs as the effect is
barred rather than striped.
Philip.
(Q)-----Original
Message-----From: Fennell, Paul <>To:
COG-l (E-mail) <> Date:
Monday, 5 February 2001 16:48
Subject: [cog-l] Collingwood
Currawong
I am looking directly at a Pied Currawong from my 5th floor office
window in
Civic and I notice it's tail is barred in black and
white.
The tip is about 2 cm of white, with about 0.5 cm of black
above it,
followed by another 3 cm or so of white, then a bit more than
that of black,
then about the same again of white, the same again of
black and then the
white patch under the upper tail.
It seems the black section of the tail is broken up into three black
bands
intersected by two white bands.
I haven't noticed this
before on Currawongs. Is it usual?
Paul
Fennell
