Bird ID please
Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 22:14
ThreadID:
82803
Views:
2916
Replies:
4
FollowUps:
8
This Thread has been Archived
Dave B ( BHQ NSW)
I have been sorting through a lot of photos I took last week, and this bird, I can't find in my books. Maybe I am looking in the wrong place.
We were on the
Oodnadatta Track near Alberrie Ck, and there were Black Winged Stilts, Shovellers and Native Hens in this soak on the side of the road.
Any help in identifying this bird would be appreciated.
Image Could Not Be Found
Dave
Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 22:23
Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 22:23
Hi Dave
I saw that bird at our kitchen table last Saturday......LOL.. when you were showing us your great pictures.
From my bird book Dave, I would say a juvenile Banded Stilt?
Lets see what others have to say.
Cheers
Stephen
AnswerID:
437545
Follow Up By: Dave B ( BHQ NSW) - Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 22:31
Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 22:31
That's what I thought Stephen, but there is a lot of black around the eye which doesn't show in my books.
Magic photos in your blog on Spring Gully too.
cheers
Dave
FollowupID:
709085
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 22:41
Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 22:41
Hi Dave
The book that I have shows that patch on the juvenile bird.
We went out both days to Spring Gully, it was a little wet after you left, so went back again on Sunday to get the rest of the pictures. I am just about to post some pictures from a chap in
Geelong that I have helped out.
All the Best
Stephen
FollowupID:
709088
Follow Up By: Dave B ( BHQ NSW) - Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 23:38
Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 23:38
I have 3 different bird books and none of them show a juvenile Stilt.
How many books is enough?
Dave
FollowupID:
709097
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Dec 02, 2010 at 07:26
Thursday, Dec 02, 2010 at 07:26
Hi Dave
If you want to know for sure and you still can not get the answer that you are after, contact the Museum in
Adelaide the next time you are down. I have contacted them in the past for help.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
709118
Follow Up By: Richard W (NSW) - Thursday, Dec 02, 2010 at 08:02
Thursday, Dec 02, 2010 at 08:02
Stephen,
I'd go with the Stilt as
well.
Seems to be a couple of variations with the Banded being fatter than the Black Wing but I would know which one and agree it's probably not fully coloured.
Imatures:
Banded - head,neck, back white,no breastband.
Black Winged - crown,nape and eye patch
grey.
FollowupID:
709123
Reply By: The Explorer - Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 23:29
Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 23:29
At first glance obviously two options – Juvenile/Immature Black-winged Stilt or Banded Stilt.
The dark
grey patch around the eye appears to be diagnostic of a juvenile Black-winged Stilt. So that’s my call.
Juvenile Banded Stilts are shown in some reference books as having some “
grey” between eyes and beak and one I have shows some light shading around the eye – but not as dark as shown for the juvenile/immature Black-winged Stilt.
Cheers
Greg
| I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874 Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message
Moderator |
AnswerID:
437556
Follow Up By: Dave B ( BHQ NSW) - Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 23:40
Wednesday, Dec 01, 2010 at 23:40
Thanks Explorer, I think I might settle on the juvenile Black Winged Stilt considering there was a few of them there as
well, although they were easily idendified mature birds.
Dave
FollowupID:
709098
Follow Up By: Member - John R (cQld) - Thursday, Dec 02, 2010 at 10:48
Thursday, Dec 02, 2010 at 10:48
Yes, agree. By one of those strange coincidences there is a photo of a group of black-winged stilts in today's local paper. The quote is:
"
Young birds lack black on the back of
the neck and have a smudged
grey crown which extends down the back of
the neck as the birds get older."
Also, the banded stilts have white down their backs (even juveniles) which should be showing in the photo, even though it's side-on.
Cheers, John
FollowupID:
709145
Reply By: Member - Stuart P (WA) - Thursday, Dec 02, 2010 at 01:25
Thursday, Dec 02, 2010 at 01:25
almost looks like an oyster catcher, but the location is wrong
AnswerID:
437568
Reply By: Member - Raymond H (VIC) - Thursday, Dec 02, 2010 at 08:00
Thursday, Dec 02, 2010 at 08:00
It's a Stilt alright Dave, and certainly a juvenile because of the black markings around the eyes. Reading from Michael Morcrombe's Field Guide to Australian Birds it is very likely a Black Winged Stilt rather than the Banded. Leg length and call are key identifiers between the two types. Not very easy to photograph as you appear to have found out, but a long zoom with anti-shake is terrific for ageing hands. Bet you had a lovely time there. Thanks for your photo.
AnswerID:
437584
Follow Up By: Member - Michael John T (VIC) - Friday, Dec 03, 2010 at 00:40
Friday, Dec 03, 2010 at 00:40
Simpson and Day confirms confirms that banded stilts (juv) have white on their back, your photo doesn't show this - I agree it's a black winged stilt. A great photo congratulations.
FollowupID:
709244