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Pin-tailed Parrotfinch – age variation

on 7th January 2016

“I have had a number of opportunities to watch the Pin-tailed Parrotfinchs (Erythrura prasina prasina) over many days, and seen quite a number. There is much variations and I would like to show some ‘less clear cut’ birds.

“The above image is of a ‘classical’ adult female and male. Note that, as Wells 2007 says, the adult female has a ‘touch of blue at the base of lower mandible’. Notice also the cinnamon breast and belly of the male with central rich red patch.

“The above is a bird with considerable blue in the face, lighter green on head and neck, lighter cinnamon underparts and lacks the central red. This is a juvenile male.

“This (above) is a bird with lighter green on head and neck, lighter cinnamon underparts and almost no blue in face. I suspect this is a juvenile female.

“This (above) is of an adult male in moult (unless this is a ‘skin’ disease of the head).

“Above is of an adult male with a large, diffuse central rich red patch over the belly and up to the chest. The cinnamon areas are also enhanced. I suspect this is breeding plumage.

“In contrast see this is of an adult male with not so ‘bright’ a breast and belly (above). Position, lighting vary but I have a number of images of both to compare with.

“Finally above and below are of an adult male who was feeding a ‘pale’ bird.

“At first I considered courtship feeding. But the very light breast, shorter tail and ‘juvenile-look’ to the bird suggests an adult feeding young.”

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
4 & 9th December 2015

Location: Kledang-Sayong Forest Reserve, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Habitat: A ‘damaged’ trail along primary jungle

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

2 Responses

  1. Nice one of opportunity comparison to educate with all so vivid images.
    I am yet to meet such good fortune of having encounter yet a flowering bamboo grove to even a shadow opportunity to observe a Parrot finch- only those in bird Finch markets in Australia perhaps.

    Cheers!
    Daisy

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