MOLT CHARACTERISTICS AND BREEDING SEASONS OF GOULDIAN ERYTHRURA-GOULDIAE, MASKED POEPHILA-PERSONATA AND LONG-TAILED FINCHES P-ACUTICAUDA INSAVANNA WOODLAND IN THE NORTHERN-TERRITORY
Sc. Tidemann et Jcz. Woinarski, MOLT CHARACTERISTICS AND BREEDING SEASONS OF GOULDIAN ERYTHRURA-GOULDIAE, MASKED POEPHILA-PERSONATA AND LONG-TAILED FINCHES P-ACUTICAUDA INSAVANNA WOODLAND IN THE NORTHERN-TERRITORY, Emu, 94, 1994, pp. 46-52
Three species of finch, Gouldian Erythrura gouldiae, Long-tailed Poeph
ila acuticauda and Masked P. personata were studied at two sites (Newr
y and Yinberrie) in the Top End of the Northern Territory. The Gouldia
n Finch began to moult after its breeding season (usually late Februar
y-August) at Newry, earlier at Yinberrie. The Long-tailed Finch began
to moult during its breeding season (usually early February-October).
The rates of moult increased in the order: Long-tailed, Masked and Gou
ldian Finch. All species began to moult later at Newry, the drier of t
he two sites. In Gouldian and Masked Finches, both sexes began to moul
t at the same time. Gouldian Finches were heaviest, while Masked Finch
es were lightest. Adult weights were lowest during the dry season, May
to October.