And, bear in mind that there are quite a lot of blackbirds ( Turdus
merula) on Lord Howe showing various degrees of albinism, especially on
the head and neck areas, you'll get a right old mixture if Island Thrush
is (re)introduced.
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Lawrie Conole
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 9:30 AM
To: Birding Aus
Subject: re: Norfolk Island birdlist
Regarding the Island Thrush (Turdus poliocephalus) in our region -
speaking both politically and biogeographically, Schodde & Mason (1998)
have the
following:
Norfolk Island - T. poliocephalus poliocephalus - apparently the
nominate form - regarded as Extinct Lord Howe Island - T. poliocephalus
vinitinctus (common name Vinous-tinted
Thrush) - regarded as Extinct
Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) - T. poliocephalus erythropleurus -
regarded as 'Lower Risk - near threatened'
Given that this bird is splattered near and far across oceanic and
contintental islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and varies
spectacularly in appearance throughout, it doesn't seem very likely that
an exact replacement for the bird could be found for re-introduction to
Lord Howe. The form in New Caledonia was probably the closest useful
source, but it is probably extinct as well. Maybe a candidate from the
Solomons might work - let it settle in and evolve into whatever kind of
Island Thrush Lord Howe can generate. Many Island Thrush populations
look for all the world like Eurasian Blackbirds - the end result might
be aesthetically disappointing, even if ecologically functional.
L.
--
++++++++++++
Lawrie Conole
28 Reid Street
Northcote, VIC 3070
AUSTRALIA
lconole[at]gmail.com
0419 588 993
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