Today whilst wandering around the Esplanade I came across an unusual looking Common Myna (Sturnus tristis) with plenty of bare skin on its face. This is not the first Common Myna I have encountered with this feather loss problem, some even having no feathers on the head at all. Oddly, Cairns is the only place where I have observed mynas with any such problem. I have never seen this down south in the Sydney to Wollongong area. Is this a disease unique to the tropics?
Another peculiar birding encounter today was watching two Yellow Honeyeaters (Lichenostomus flavus) diving into a drainage channel for prey near the Cairns Central Swamp on Gatton St. I have never observed any honeyeater behaving like this before. Although the birds were not ‘diving’ as such, they were slamming into the water with some force. I didn’t see the suspected prey, I can’t even be sure that it was prey the birds were pursuing. Perhaps these birds were diving in to simply wet themselves in the heat of the day?
In other news, I plan to have the review of Birder’s Diary up in under a week!
#1 by Mark Young on February 3, 2010 - 7:14 am
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I’ve seen Mynah’s with similar hairloss around the head in Sydney before. Not sure what is the cause of it or if it’s common as I don’t really conscously look at that species of bird.
#2 by Martin on February 3, 2010 - 7:48 am
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Hi Sebastian, our Brown honeyeaters and rufous throated honeyeaters (in Ingham) do the water dipping action as well. I don’t think they are foraging, probably cooling or rinsing off. They may also get a side benefit of a drink (from their wet feathers) as they seem to sit and preen after a dip.
Really enjoying your Blog
Martin
#3 by Sebastian on February 3, 2010 - 7:41 pm
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@Mark I never really payed much attention either, but it’s hard to miss a bird that is completely bald! I’m curious as to whether this disease, if it is a disease, can be passed onto other species.
@Martin Thanks mate, I enjoy writing it.
I wonder if any species other than Lichenostomus and Conopophila honeyeaters dive in a similar fashion? I know I have seen Rainbow Bee-eaters (Merops ornatus) diving into water for no apparent reason (no characteristic de-stinging on a branch after they get out), but that’s it.