Another feather

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soakes
soakes's picture
Another feather

Does anyone know what type of bird this feather is from?

As you can see, this feather is about 3 standard units long. :-) It is a lovely brown and tan colour, fading to creamy white.

(The wine was a cheap but good 2006 shiraz from Banrock Station.)

- soakes

DenisWilson
DenisWilson's picture

Hi Soakes
Might it be a water bird? I am thinking of a Nankeen Night Heron - just from the colour. Spotting has me worried a bit.
.
But it does not look like any Owl feather, which was where my mind first went, with the spotting. But I really do not think that's right. Boobooks do not have those peach tones - more brown and white.
Another possibility might be a Little Eagle. They sometimes get those warm tones in their plumage, especially the young ones. But that's just a guess.
Can you describe the habitat and region where the feather was found?
.
Cheers
Denis

soakes
soakes's picture

Thanks Denis,
Yeah, those spots are quite distinctive.

It was found at my property at Gippsland - there are quite a few trees around (mainly various wattles and eucalyptus) , but also some open areas with shrubs, bracken, grass and weeds :-(

It was quite a way from the river, so although it is possibly a water bird I am tending more towards the eagle type of bird.

Then again - I have absolutely no idea!

- soakes

soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia

DenisWilson
DenisWilson's picture

Hi Soakes, it is worth hanging on to your feather. Just stick it in a jar in the corner of the room. It will last indefinitely.
Feathers of different birds are actually quite distinctive in shape, texture, colour. It is always worth inspecting fresh road kills, and owls and even Eagles are regularly killed.
Its amazing what you can learn from being observant, and bothering to stop and have look at something dead beside the road.
Cheers
Denis

daggert
daggert's picture

Dont kookaburras have those stripey kind of markings?
Spots I am not sure about. Laughing kooka not the blue one.

Anonymous

keep ALL the feathers u find incase they are the same or the same speices

Bourke
Bourke's picture

Alright one more try, my previous post came up with an error message and I have no idea why. I'm new to this forum and forums in general so I hope it's not poor etiquette to respond to older threads. My first thought for your feather was a Barn Owl. If this is the case the feather will feel extremely soft when you run your hand along it. My second thought which I now consider much more likely is a Nankeen Kestrel (now Australian Kestrel). A seperate note on feather collecting... All feathers and other parts of native animals belong to the Australian Museum and collecting them is technically illegal. Having said that I do collect them myself and see no issue with this if it is done the right way for the right reasons (as you clearly are). Another note if you intend to keep the feather I disagree with Dennis. The feather will not last indefinitely, it will slowly be eaten away by mites. These can be treated by freezing for a few weeks before storing and the use of moth balls/ napthalene. Hope that Helps. Cheers, Bourke

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