| Case Summary for:
Submission No. 378: Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Macquarie Island 5th November 2002. (Unpublished) Submitted by: Martin Shultz.
Verdict: Accepted An interesting submission that concerns the sighting of an adult male Chaffinch on Macquarie Island. The bird was seen intermittently for approx. 15 minutes on coastal vegetated rock stacks from 70 to 300 m east of the Hurd Point hut on the south-east coast of Macquarie Island (54032'06", 158051'42"). Excellent documentation has been provided to the committee detailing the circumstances of the sighting, a thorough description and an overview of the likely origin and status of this species in our region. Key identification characters noted include: the slate-blue crown and nape, orange rufous underparts, prominent wing bars, 'apricot-rufous' area on the face, etc. The call was reported to be very distinctive, differing markedly from other species on Macquarie Island. To quote direct from the submission; "The combination of the above features makes this species unlikely to be confused with any other bird occurring in Australia or New Zealand. For example, the New Zealand Pipit although possessing the white outer tail shafts lacks the white markings in the wings and the colouration described on the head and breast of the bird seen. The Greenfinch, although not yet recorded from Macquarie Island may be a potential vagrant. However, it is readily separated from the bird seen by the lack of white in the wings and on the outer tail shafts as well as having greenish head and upper back and yellow markings in the wing. Similarly, the European Goldfinch, an occasional visitor to Macquarie Island, has a red face, yellow markings in the wing and lacks the white outer tail shafts. The Silvereye has a narrower bill, yellowish-green head and body and lacks white markings in the wing and outer tail shafts". Members agreed unanimously with the identification concurring that is was an adult male almost certainly arriving from wild exotic populations in New Zealand where it is well established. There can be little doubt that it was either self-introduced or ship assisted. Either way BARC accepts this bird as a wild individual, the first confirmed for Macquarie Island. Previous records in Australia are restricted to Lord Howe Island (Christidis & Boles 1994, Strahan 1996) and a more recent record from Norfolk Island (BARC Case No. 314). This is the second to be accepted by BARC.
· Christidis, L. & Boles, W. 1994. The Taxonomy & Species
of Birds of Australia & its Territories. RAOU. Melbourne. Tony Palliser
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