It doesn’t get much tougher than the last bird challenge we presented. The juvenile Long-tailed Paradise Whydah that we are 95% sure it was had many people stumped, including most of us here! If you managed to get the right answer, be very proud!
I imagine if every bird we put up was almost impossible to ID, people would start to lose interest, so we’ll try and oscillate between easy and tricky. It won’t always be a clear-cut adult though; expect juveniles, females, non-breeding plumages, rare vagrants, and even common birds viewed from funny angles.
The reality is that out in the field, you don’t often have birds sitting a few metres away, patiently waiting to be identified. Sometimes all you have to go on is a fleeting glimpse through the undergrowth, or a long distance view through shaky binoculars of a bird on the wing against a bright background. This is where the real skill comes in, with top birders able to make snap calls from a bare minimum of information.
Today’s bird was quite cooperative. It flew down onto a log close to where we were parked watching some hippos, and then it fluttered over to the edge of the waterhole to snatch a quick drink from a puddle of rainwater. We had a long lens with us, so were able to get a usable photo:
It’s significantly easier than last month’s challenge, but there are a few species that one might get confused between, so take your time when deciding.
The answer will be in this Friday’s Week in Pictures #360.
Good luck!
I’m going to call it as an immature (not juvenile) male Greater Honeyguide (Indicator indicator) based on the plain brown back with light underparts and the pink bill.
Greater Honeyguide
James, This must be a Greater Honeyguide. Again, just having one angle to look at the bird does make it more difficult but I think you made it a bit easier this time around.
I think it’s a scaly-throated Honeyguide
Hi James,
I love your bird challenge! It’s demanding but a lovely way of learning more about birds!
I think the answer for the third bird challenge is Kurrichane Thrush, female and juvenile.
Juvenile male greater honeyguide with the beak more progressed towards maturity than the rest of the bird.
Lesser honey guide?
Hi everyone,
Some good answers here, some of which are correct.
I’ll remain mysterious here and say please wait until the Week in Pictures on Friday for the answer…
It seems that I was right when I saw the pink bill & my thought is the greater honeyguide immature male almost adult??? Thanks for making it a tad easier ?
A Male Greater Adult Honeyguide in transitional plumage from juvenile to mature. Ian MacLarty
Almost certain that this is an immature greater honeyguide!
Hi Callum,
You my be right… but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out…
I think that it is a not quite adult, male, Greater Honeyguide. Not yet adult, because of darker wings and lighter underparts. The bill looks close to the adult colour, but maybe the red at the base will still deepen. I have also noticed that they drink regularly; probably because they are persistent wax eaters. Eating wax makes you thirsty – so maybe the drinking is also a clue.
Maybe a juvenile oxpecker
Hi Ant,
I’m going to have to ask you for a final answer…! 😉
Sorry James, I’m going with lesser honeyguide, tks
Maybe a juvenile greater honeyguide
Missed this blog. Out of signal for 3 weeks. Looking forward to the December quizz.
female honeyguide, perhaps?
Is it an African Lark?