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Regent colours

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Subject: Regent colours
From: brian fleming <>
Date: Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:38:32 +1000


As Russ has pointed out, in Sydney's early days the Regent Bowerbird was named 'Regent-bird' because of its gold and black plumage (the Satin Bowerbird was plain 'Satin-bird', the term Bowerbird being later invented by Gould).

The Regent Honeyeater was at first called the 'False Regent-bird', as well as Warty-faced or Embroidered Honeyeater and Flying Coachman (No idea why the last unless it was seen as wearing gaudy livery.)

Regent being attached to black-and-gold birds, Regent Parrot was probably inevitable, though it also has a lot of bush names. I have heard plenty of people say 'What d'you mean Regent, it's a Smoker Parrot!' and I believe Rock Pebbler is also still current.

By-names for parrot and finch species used to be a standard technique for bird dealers, in bamboozling the public that their wares were in no way protected or subject to regulations.

Anthea Fleming
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