A young Tui's yellow gape

General birdwatching discussion, help with bird identification, and all other things relating to wild birds and birding in NZ that don't fit in one of the other forums.
Jim Kirker
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Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2017 8:54 pm

A young Tui's yellow gape

Postby Jim Kirker » Sat Dec 29, 2018 10:43 am

The yellow flap of tissue at the base of this young tui's bill looks to me like the wattle on a saddleback. Has anyone information on the origin of the NZ wattlebird wattles ? Are they retained from earlier in life, an example of neoteny ?
P1090593 (2).JPG
Juvenile Tui, Waitaramoa Reserve, Auckland 10/12/18
P1090593 (2).JPG (139.25 KiB) Viewed 1407 times
P1090594.JPG
Juvenile Tui, Waitaramoa Reserve, Auckland 10/12/18
P1090594.JPG (668.71 KiB) Viewed 1407 times
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Neil Fitzgerald
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Re: A young Tui's yellow gape

Postby Neil Fitzgerald » Mon Jul 22, 2019 1:27 pm

I have no idea, but it's an interesting thought.

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