Evaluation of the Nelson Carolina Parakeet Film

[摘要] Here, we report on a close examination of this film and conclude that although it shows at least one living parrot in a setting that seems potentially appropriate for the Carolina Parakeet, the birds in view are probably not living Carolina Parakeets. The one individual that seems clearly alive exhibits relatively drab coloration and appears to be some other parakeet species artificially colored to look somewhat like a Carolina Parakeet. Two other individuals in the film exhibit coloration that is much more vivid and more closely matches that of the Carolina Parakeet, but these birds do not move naturally and very likely are not alive. Like the living bird, both could have been specimens of some other species colored to resemble Carolina Parakeets. Alternatively, one or both may have been Carolina Parakeet taxidermy mounts or models painted to resemble Carolina Parakeets. Multiple anomalous features of the film suggest that it is a deliberate, but clumsy, hoax.

[学科分类] 动物科学