With reference to David Taylor’s very interesting question about the ‘strange’
duck he saw on the University of Queensland campus out there at Gatton in the
Lockyer Valley in SE Queensland (an area which was devastated by, unprecedented
in white man’s time, floods last year) I would like to ask a question with the
following context in mind.
Although I have been birdwatching for nearly 40 years I have never come to
grips with moult. Although I have been photographing birds for most of that
time and some of the most expert people in Australia have been very patiently
trying to educate me in the understanding of moult I seem to be too dumb (or
too old) to take it all in. I’m tempted to give those people names but I really
shouldn't embarrass them so I won’t. But I say to them “Don’t give up.” I love
youse all.
Anyhow..........
The question is:
Why is David Taylor’s ‘strange’ bird not a Northern Pintail female undergoing
moult of the primaries and, possibly, the secondaries – as has been suggested?
Is it because it is in Queensland? (Oh, that is facetious, Bob and should be
struck from the records).
I have not yet seen a pintail of any description so I am clutching at straws
here but I have consulted “Wildfowl” by Steve Madge and Hilary Burn as well as
HANZAB (we all know what that is, don’t we?). Having done so it seems to me
that there is a possibility, small though it might be, that David, et all, has
found something very ‘interesting’.
Why isn’t David’s bird a Northern Pintail female undergoing moult of the
primaries and, as it has been suggested, the secondaries?
In asking this question, I am hoping that those birders who have had extensive
experience with observing Northern Pintails will respond. After all, the
majority of Australian birdwatchers with experience of northern hemisphere
birds come from...............the northern hemisphere. At least that is my
observation. A few Australian boundary-ed birdwatchers probably only see one or
two Northern Pintails in their entire life. As I said, I haven’t seen any and I
confine my observations to the mainland of Australia.
I realize the shortcomings of digital photography (having been involved with it
for 11 years) and therefore I understand why David’s images vary in the colours
of the plumage of this bird but, understanding those technicalities, I can see,
as David saw, that this bird is ‘different’ to the average Grey Teal. My
initial reaction was that it is always wise to not look for a rarity and to
simply look for an aberration when observing something which looks ‘different’.
My experience at that location is that the common ducks include Grey Teal so
that is what I initially advised David . However, further consideration
encouraged me to suggest that this bird might, only might, be something else.
As I read it, David’s bird might have a rufous wash over the head and the iris
might be somewhat different in colour to that of Grey Teal. If so that could
indicate Northern Pintail female.
Not Northern Pintail juvenile as the plumage is quite different.
In the course of education (of me in particular) I would like those birders who
have had experience with Northern Pintail females (from an observer’s point of
view) to come forward and voice an opinion.
Is that too much to ask?
Please understand that I am not being critical of anyone but simply wanting to
ensure that an opportunity is not missed.
I don’t mind if I am proven to be way of track here.
A ‘proverb’ from the latest book I am reading “In advising a friend, seek to
help, not please”. (The good Book – a secular bible- by AC Grayling)
Bob Inglis
Sandstone Point
Qld
http://www.photos-n-guides.com/ (my new and expanded website – still a work in
progress so please forgive the errors and omissions)
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