ID-FRONTIERS for December 1-8, 2001

Messages are displayed in the order they were received.  Subject  From  Date   Time   Florida's Elegant Terns   Lyn Atherton    Mon, 3 Dec 2001   10:51pm   Attention raptor enthusiasts   Tom Tarrant    Wed, 5 Dec 2001   2:23am   Lesser Black-backed Bill Question   Dave DeReamus    Wed, 5 Dec 2001   1:06pm   Re: Lesser Black-backed Bill Question   Dick Newell    Wed, 5 Dec 2001   1:26pm   Lesser B-b Gull bill colors   Paul Lehman    Wed, 5 Dec 2001   2:14pm   Re: Lesser Black-backed Bill Question   Matt Sharp    Wed, 5 Dec 2001   2:31pm   Re: Lesser Black-backed Bill Question   Phil Pickering    Wed, 5 Dec 2001   4:03pm   Re: Lesser B-b Gull bill colors   Norman D.van Swelm   Thu, 6 Dec 2001   4:51am   Re: Lesser Black-backed Bill Question   John Idzikowski    Thu, 6 Dec 2001   8:43am   FW: ID help: [birds-pix] Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus) or Pied Harrier or...   Alain Foss=?ISO-8859   Thu, 6 Dec 2001   11:13am   Re: Lesser Black-backed Bill Question   Dave DeReamus    Thu, 6 Dec 2001   12:19pm   Glaucous x Herring Gulls   Dick Newell    Thu, 6 Dec 2001   2:35pm   Re: Glaucous x Herring Gulls   Peter Adriaens    Fri, 7 Dec 2001   4:38am   Re: Glaucous x Herring Gulls   Harry Lehto    Fri, 7 Dec 2001   6:18am   Redpoll info request   Cliff and Lisa Weiss   Fri, 7 Dec 2001   11:31am   Re: Redpoll info request   Gordijn    Fri, 7 Dec 2001   11:50am   Japanese Photographic Birding Guides   Tom Tarrant    Fri, 7 Dec 2001   6:33pm   FRI: body moult on 1W Caspian Gull   Martin Reid    Fri, 7 Dec 2001   7:24pm   Re: Japanese Photographic Field-Guides   Tom Tarrant    Fri, 7 Dec 2001   7:58pm   RFI: variation in eye/bill colours on Common Pochard   Martin Reid    Fri, 7 Dec 2001   8:13pm

To use email addresses replace '(AT)' with '@'. This is done to confuse the spam 'bots.

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Subject: Florida's Elegant Terns
From: Lyn Atherton <bonniedabird(AT)EARTHLINK.NET>
Date: 3 Dec 2001 10:51pm

I have added to my web site photos of all of the various Elegant and
Elegant-type terns that have been discovered in Florida during the past
two years.  In light of the recent Texas observations, it is interesting
that none of those found in Florida this summer and fall were seen after
10/9, except a probable adult which was last seen on 11/3.  Also, the
numbers of  Sandwich Terns dropped dramatically by mid-October.  Did
Texas get an increase of this species at this time?  Please go to
<http://home.earthlink.net/~bonniedabird/FirstElegant.htm> to see photos
and read about the status of  Elegant Tern in Florida. Any information
that will help age the Florida individuals correctly will be
appreciated.  Please address any comments to the group.

Lyn Atherton

--
Lyn Atherton
Tierra Verde, FL
bonniedabird(AT)earthlink.net
url: http://home.earthlink.net/~bonniedabird/Home.htm


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Subject: Attention raptor enthusiasts
From: Tom Tarrant <aviceda(AT)SUNSHINE.NET.AU>
Date: 5 Dec 2001 2:23am

Thought this might interest the group, have a look at the odd-harrier
photographed by 'ace' digiscoper Laurence Poh of Ipoh Malaysia on
Birds-Pix? (message # 13698 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/birds-pix/ )
It was originally identified as an Eastern Marsh-Harrier
I think it looks like a Montagu's or Pallid.....would this be a
particular rarity in SE Asia?
I've also added the image to the Asian-Raptors mailing-list #366 (
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Asian-raptors/ )
If the mailing-lists are inaccessible I will send the image as an
attachment to those interested.
Tom

--
Tom and Marie Tarrant
Lot 10 (137) Watson Rd
Samsonvale, Queensland 4521
Australia

Tel: 07 3425 1780
Mob: 0409 264 725

Birding Southern Queensland
http://ats.com.au/~aviceda/


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Subject: Lesser Black-backed Bill Question
From: Dave DeReamus <becard(AT)FAST.NET>
Date: 5 Dec 2001 1:06pm

Hi all,

This one's for the Larophiles.

While checking out gulls in the Easton, PA area today, I noticed an adult
(or almost an adult) Lesser Black-backed Gull with a two-toned bill.  The
strange thing (at least to me) was that the two-toned bill was opposite what
is shown in most of the books for a 3rd-year bird.  The bill was colored
similar to that of an adult Sabine's Gull----dark at the BASE with the OUTER
third bright yellow).  No, I'm not saying it possibly could've been a
Sabine's; it wasn't even close to that.  It WAS a Lesser Black-backed.  I
just had never seen a bill color like that on a Lesser before.  Has anyone
else ever seen this pattern?  Just curious.

Also, the dark-mantled 'Mystery Gull' has apparently returned to the area to
taunt us again.  It must be something in the water!

Good birding,

Dave DeReamus
'Eastern PA Birdline' Compiler
Easton, PA
becard(AT)fast.net


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Subject: Re: Lesser Black-backed Bill Question
From: Dick Newell <dick.newell(AT)MACUNLIMITED.NET>
Date: 5 Dec 2001 1:26pm

Dave,
Your bird almost certainly was younger than adult - 3rd calendar LBBG can
look almost adult. In LBBG, Herring Gull (argenteus/argentatus) and
Yellow-legged Gull - it is not that uncommon from 2nd winter on to see birds
with a yellow tip that can extend all along the top of the culmen - looking
more like a Yellow-nosed Albatross than a Sabine's Gull.
Dick Newell - Cambridge England


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Subject: Lesser B-b Gull bill colors
From: Paul Lehman <lehmfinn(AT)BELLATLANTIC.NET>
Date: 5 Dec 2001 2:14pm

It is quite common to see adult and near-adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls
with yellow or, more often, orangey bill tips. I see several such birds
EVERY time I go to the large Tullytown dump/Florence area in PA/NJ,
which is the Lesser capital of North America--where one can see over 100
Lessers in a day.

Paul Lehman


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Subject: Re: Lesser Black-backed Bill Question
From: Matt Sharp <sharp(AT)ACNATSCI.ORG>
Date: 5 Dec 2001 2:31pm

>In LBBG, Herring Gull (argenteus/argentatus) and
>Yellow-legged Gull - it is not that uncommon from 2nd winter on to see birds
>with a yellow tip that can extend all along the top of the culmen - looking
>?more like a Yellow-nosed Albatross than a Sabine's Gull.

Is this the case with smithsonianus.  I can't recall ever seeing
this bill pattern on any of the 100,000s I have seen locally, but
maybe that is because I wasn't paying any attention to this feature.

Matt Sharp
Collection Manager
VIREO/ANS
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Philadelphia PA  19103
www.acnatsci.org/vireo
(tel.) 215-299-1069
(fax) 215-299-1182


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Subject: Re: Lesser Black-backed Bill Question
From: Phil Pickering <philliplc(AT)HARBORSIDE.COM>
Date: 5 Dec 2001 4:03pm

On the west coast, this type of bill pattern is seen in Western/Glaucous-
winged, but doesn't seem to be typical of smithsonianus Herring, at
least in my experience. I do occasionally see Herring-like gulls with
dark remaining in the bill base and a yellow tip and/or culmen, but
they are usually suspect Herring x Glaucous-winged hybrids, like
this thing (Oct 2000, central Oregon coast) -

http://www.harborside.com/~philliplc/hexgw1.jpg

Interestingly, a minority of 2nd-winter+ Thayer's do show this pattern.
Perhaps this is because, unlike typical smithsonianus, the bill is starting
to mature before the dark juvenile pigmentation (overlying layer?) has
faded (March 2001, central Oregon coast) -

http://www.harborside.com/~philliplc/gull016.jpg

Cheers,

Phil Pickering
Lincoln City, Oregon
philliplc(AT)harborside.com

>>In LBBG, Herring Gull (argenteus/argentatus) and
>>Yellow-legged Gull - it is not that uncommon from 2nd winter on to see birds
>>with a yellow tip that can extend all along the top of the culmen - looking
>>?more like a Yellow-nosed Albatross than a Sabine's Gull.
>
>Is this the case with smithsonianus.  I can't recall ever seeing
>this bill pattern on any of the 100,000s I have seen locally, but
>maybe that is because I wasn't paying any attention to this feature.
>
>Matt Sharp
>Collection Manager
>VIREO/ANS
>1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
>Philadelphia PA  19103
>www.acnatsci.org/vireo
>(tel.) 215-299-1069
>(fax) 215-299-1182


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Subject: Re: Lesser B-b Gull bill colors
From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm(AT)WXS.NL>
Date: 6 Dec 2001 4:51am

>It is quite common to see adult and near-adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls
>with yellow or, more often, orangey bill tips. I see several such birds
>EVERY time I go to the large Tullytown dump/Florence area in PA/NJ,
>which is the Lesser capital of North America--where one can see over 100
>Lessers in a day.
>
>Paul Lehman

And how many have colour-rings Paul? Sorry color bands.
Norman


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Subject: Re: Lesser Black-backed Bill Question
From: John Idzikowski <idzikoj(AT)UWM.EDU>
Date: 6 Dec 2001 8:43am

The last image in the album of digitals from Wisconsin by Brian Boldt below
contains an interesting April Lesser (B2-A3) showing this bill pattern in
such a way as to suggest a layering effect as mentioned here.

This album also contains digitals of the Slaty-backed Gull from Milwaukee
posted here 2 weeks ago; pending one more opinion I will summarize here what
has been written about this bird.

 http://community.webshots.com/album/24461851xulHLQFkbh

John Idzikowski, Milwaukee

----- Original Message -----
From: Dave DeReamus <becard(AT)FAST.NET>
To: <BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2001 2:04 PM
Subject: [BIRDWG01] Lesser Black-backed Bill Question

> Hi all,
>
> This one's for the Larophiles.
>
> While checking out gulls in the Easton, PA area today, I noticed an adult
> (or almost an adult) Lesser Black-backed Gull with a two-toned bill.  The
> strange thing (at least to me) was that the two-toned bill was opposite
what
> is shown in most of the books for a 3rd-year bird.  The bill was colored
> similar to that of an adult Sabine's Gull----dark at the BASE with the
OUTER
> third bright yellow).  No, I'm not saying it possibly could've been a
> Sabine's; it wasn't even close to that.  It WAS a Lesser Black-backed.  I
> just had never seen a bill color like that on a Lesser before.  Has anyone
> else ever seen this pattern?  Just curious.
>
> Also, the dark-mantled 'Mystery Gull' has apparently returned to the area
to
> taunt us again.  It must be something in the water!
>
> Good birding,
>
> Dave DeReamus
> 'Eastern PA Birdline' Compiler
> Easton, PA
> becard(AT)fast.net
>


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Subject: FW: ID help: [birds-pix] Eastern Marsh Harrier
         (Circus spilonotus) or Pied Harrier or...
From: Alain Foss=?ISO-8859-1?B?6Q==?= Angers France <alfosse(AT)BIGFOOT.COM>
Date: 6 Dec 2001 11:13am

Please have a look @
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/birds-pix/message/13698
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/birds-pix/message/13819
(pictures also available on
http://www.lpo-anjou.org/malaysian_harrier2.jpg
and
http://www.lpo-anjou.org/malaysian_harrier1.jpg)
Any idea about the ID of this Malaysian harrier taken by Laurence Poh?
He first thought it was Eastern Marsh Harrier C. spilonotus.
Some thought of Montagu¹s C. pygargus or Pallid C. macrourus...
Other of Pied C. melanoleucus...

De : "Laurence Poh" <pohsp(AT)pc.jaring.my>
Répondre à : birds-pix(AT)yahoogroups.com
Date : Mon, 3 Dec 2001 10:50:18 +0800
À : <birds-pix(AT)yahoogroups.com>
Objet : [birds-pix] Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus)

Hi,

Another Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus) shot yesterday morning.  I
can't quite makeout what this is? A juvenile or female? Can someone please
help?

Digiscoped with Swarovski + Nikon 990
DSCN3734.JPG
CAMERA       : E990V1.1
METERING     : CENTER
MODE         : A
SHUTTER      : 1/18sec
APERTURE     : F4.0
EXP +/-      : -0.3
FOCAL LENGTH : f23.4mm(X1.0)
IMG ADJUST   : STANDARD
SENSITIVITY  : ISO100
WHITEBAL     : FLUORESCENT
SHARPNESS    : NORMAL
DATE         : 02.12.2001 07:46
QUALITY      : FULL FINE

Regards,

Laurence
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Laurence's Digital Birds: http://www.angelfire.com/pe2/digiscoping/index.htm

De : "Laurence Poh" <pohsp(AT)pc.jaring.my>
Répondre à : birds-pix(AT)yahoogroups.com
Date : Thu, 6 Dec 2001 10:05:48 +0800
À : <birds-pix(AT)yahoogroups.com>
Objet : Re: [birds-pix] Eastern Marsh harrier
Thank you guys for the interesting info shared so far on trying to help me
identify the Marsh Harrier in my photo. My assumption it was an Eastern
Marsh Harrier is because this species has been seen at this locale for the
past 3 years along with the Pied.

When I took the photo I thought this bird was odd (as in interesting) with
its white above and below eyes. But as Tom said, not much is known about
immature Pied Marsh Harrier which is also a possibility.

In Craig Robson's Guide to Birds of South-East Asia, the Montagu does not
travel down this far south but does mention that it has white above and
below eyes.

Attached is side profile blow up of the head showing where the white patches
I mentioned earlier.
Regards,

Laurence


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Subject: Re: Lesser Black-backed Bill Question
From: Dave DeReamus <becard(AT)FAST.NET>
Date: 6 Dec 2001 12:19pm

Hi all,

Thanks to all who responded to my post.  It is NOW obvious to me that this
is not an unusual bill pattern for Lessers, although it is interesting that
NONE of the books that I have mention anything about this.

The photo that Mike Rogers pointed me to most closely resembles what I saw.
The photo is at:
http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/gallery.htm
After loading the page, scroll down to the LBBG from Lake Cunningham 20-27
Dec 1998 and look at the lower photo.

I have seen a fair amount of LBBG's, but this pattern was a first for me.  I
do believe that the bird was a 3rd-year bird, but I must admit that I was
looking in the direction of the sun and the mantle color was showing more
bright reflection than darkness.

Thanks again and Good birding,

Dave DeReamus
'Eastern PA Birdline' Compiler
Easton, PA
becard(AT)fast.net
Remember that birds can't read range maps!


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Subject: Glaucous x Herring Gulls
From: Dick Newell <dick.newell(AT)MACUNLIMITED.NET>
Date: 6 Dec 2001 2:35pm

Is there any population of pure Herring Gulls in Norway or Russia that
produces juvenile birds with pale fringes to the primaries? Or can one say
with certainty that such birds always have hyperboreus in their ancestry? We
have had quite an influx of hybrids here (Cambridge, England) recently as
well as other birds that do not look like pure Herring Gulls. I assume that
these hybrids did not come from Iceland as a large number of argentatus
Herring Gulls arrived at the same time and there has not been a
corresponding invasion of Glaucous Gulls into the UK (although there have
been some Iceland Gulls). It seems these birds combine some of the
morphology of hyperboreus with the migration behaviour of argentatus.
Glaucous and Herring Gull breeding ranges do not overlap in northern Russia,
so where are these hybrids being produced? Is it Glaucous straying into
Herring Gull colonies or vice versa? Where are there known cases of
hybridisation? [note these things are not the same as Nelson's Gull, a
hyperboreus x smithsonianus hybrid]
For examples of 3 hybrids see:
http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=478&group_id=164

And for 2 suspicious looking birds:
http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=482&group_id=177&search=

http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=483&group_id=177&search=

Regards
Dick


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Subject: Re: Glaucous x Herring Gulls
From: Peter Adriaens <Peter.Adriaens(AT)KENDER-THIJSSEN.BE>
Date: 7 Dec 2001 4:38am

This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand
this format, some or all of this message may not be legible.

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Hello,

just a question about
>http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=478&group_id=164<;:
what makes you say that these three birds are definite hybrids ?
Second question: why make assumptions solely on the basis of birds of
unknown origin and uncertain identification, outside of their normal
breeding range ?

As far as I know, Glaucous Gull does not breed in northern Scandinavia.
Within Europe, the breeding range overlaps with that of Herring Gull only in
Iceland, though Herring Gulls have also been recorded quite regularly in
Spitsbergen. There seem to have been no confirmed recent breeding records
however.
While I certainly believe that Glaucous and Herring Gulls do hybridize in
Iceland, I should say -- at the risk of starting an old and closed
discussion -- that some people have doubted this fact. See e.g.:
Snell, R R 1991. Variably plumaged Icelandic Herring Gulls reflects founders
not hybrids. Auk 108: 329-341.
Snell, R R 1993. Variably plumaged Icelandic Herring Gulls: high
intraspecific variation in a founded population. Auk 110:411-413.
My point of mentioning the studies of Snell is just to show that it can be
difficult to prove hybridization and/or identify hybrids with certainty,
even on the breeding grounds.

As pointed out by e.g. Barth already in 1968 (see Barth, E.K. 1968.  "The
circumpolar systematics of Larus argentatus and Larus fuscus  with special
reference to the Norwegian populations."  Nytt    Mag. Zool. 15, Suppl 1:
1-50), pale-winged Herring Gulls do occur in northern Scandinavia.
It is very difficult to draw the line between what are "certainly" Glaucous
x Herring hybrids and what may still be just pale-winged argentatus.

On the three UK birds: while they may be hybrids, especially the first bird
(November 25, 2001), I think it is odd that their supposed Glaucous Gull
genes would show only in the wingtips, and perhaps tail too. The primary
tips and edges are very pale, but the width and pigmentation of the barring
on the upperparts and upper-wingcoverts does not differ much from an average
argentatus, nor does the colour of the bill. Except in the first bird, which
shows a rather short primary extension, structure is similar to Herring
Gull, too.

I would be interested to read more opinions on these puzzling birds.
Best regards,
Peter Adriaens

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Subject: Re: Glaucous x Herring Gulls
From: Harry Lehto <hlehto(AT)OJ287.ASTRO.UTU.FI>
Date: 7 Dec 2001 6:18am

On Thu, 6 Dec 2001, Dick Newell wrote:

> Is there any population of pure Herring Gulls in Norway or Russia that
> produces juvenile birds with pale fringes to the primaries?

Apparently, yes. We see these kinds of birds in SW Finland regularly from
about December 10 to the christmas holidays, and then again in March and
first half of April. Occasionally some individuals showing these kinds of
characters are seen as early as in September. The latter ones are likely
to be of local herring gull stock.

We suspect that the winter birds come from the Kola peninsula (or East of
Kola). They seem to appear a couple of weeks before the "proper hybrids"
and glaucous gulls.

If we see juvenile/1st winter Herrings with one or two characters
indicating glaucous-like genes, we consider them to be Herrings
showing glaucous gull like characters and NOT PROPER HYBRIDS. These just
seem to be "paler" individuals within the variation of argentatus
Herring gulls.

Of the birds on the cited web pages we would consider all being within the
range of Herring gulls, expect for the first bird of on the first web
page, in which could be a hybrid.

> For examples of 3 hybrids see:
> http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=478&group_id=164
> http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=482&group_id=177&search=
> http://www.magikcircle.com/birds/image.asp?title_id=483&group_id=177&search=

Regards
Harry J Lehto                   Hanry Lehto
hlehto(AT)astro.utu.fi             henry.lehto(AT)sampo.fi
Kaarina, Finland                Turku, Finland


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Subject: Redpoll info request
From: Cliff and Lisa Weisse <october(AT)IDA.NET>
Date: 7 Dec 2001 11:31am

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At some time in the past I remember a discussion about separating Common =
and Hoary Redpoll.  Some one posted a link to a web site on the subject =
that had some photos of both species.  With all the reports of Redpolls =
is seems like a good time to review it.  If any one knows the address =
I'd appreciate it if you would post it.  Thanks in advance if you can =
help.

Cliff

Cliff and Lisa Weisse
Island Park, ID
october(AT)ida.net

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Subject: Re: Redpoll info request
From: Gordijn <fagord(AT)KABELFOON.NL>
Date: 7 Dec 2001 11:50am

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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http://w1.157.telia.com/~u15702215/rpindex.htm
a site with lots of information about the redpoll complex
    -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
    Van: Cliff and Lisa Weisse <october(AT)IDA.NET>
    Aan: BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU <BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
    Datum: vrijdag 7 december 2001 19:34
    Onderwerp: [BIRDWG01] Redpoll info request
   =20
   =20
    At some time in the past I remember a discussion about separating =
Common and Hoary Redpoll.  Some one posted a link to a web site on the =
subject that had some photos of both species.  With all the reports of =
Redpolls is seems like a good time to review it.  If any one knows the =
address I'd appreciate it if you would post it.  Thanks in advance if =
you can help.
   =20
    Cliff
   =20
    Cliff and Lisa Weisse
    Island Park, ID
    october(AT)ida.net

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Subject: Japanese Photographic Birding Guides
From: Tom Tarrant <aviceda(AT)SUNSHINE.NET.AU>
Date: 7 Dec 2001 6:33pm

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Hi All,

I'm not sure if you are aware but there are a couple of superb Japanese
photographic bird-guides which I was recently given by visiting birders,
unfortunately the text is Japanese but I'm sure if enough people
worldwide showed an interest we might be able to persuade them to put
out an english-language version. On the rear covers there are ISBN
numbers that can be used to order them.

I have scanned the covers and some of the photos but as I cannot put
them on the mailing-list as attachments I am quite prepared to send
these to anyone interested.
Please contact me if interested, I'm sure asian birdo-philes will really
enjoy them.....the images are wonderful!

--
Tom and Marie Tarrant
Lot 10 (137) Watson Rd
Samsonvale, Queensland 4521
Australia

Tel: 07 3425 1780
Mob: 0409 264 725

Birding Southern Queensland
http://ats.com.au/~aviceda/

--
Tom and Marie Tarrant
Lot 10 (137) Watson Rd
Samsonvale, Queensland 4521
Australia

Tel: 07 3425 1780
Mob: 0409 264 725

Birding Southern Queensland
http://ats.com.au/~aviceda/

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Subject: FRI: body moult on 1W Caspian Gull
From: Martin Reid <upupa(AT)AIRMAIL.NET>
Date: 7 Dec 2001 7:24pm

Dear all,
As we are well and truly into the gull season, I'd like to get some
feedback on the transition of juvenile Larus (cachinnans) cachinnans - the
subspecific epithet is required to distinguish Caspian Gull from
michahellis in the the AOU region:- There have been a number of
illuminating photo pieces in Birding World in the last few months, showing
juvenile Caspians (actually, most have already started to moult a few
mantle/upper scaps), and I am wondering about what changes will take place
(and when) on the head, neck, breast, belly, and especially the
vent/undertail coverts: which tracts are replaced in the juv - 1W/1B moult
and when are they replaced, and which tracts remain unmoulted into the
Spring (and thus can change appearance only due to wear/fading, rather than
replacement) - and when do these unmoulted tracts next start to be replaced
(presumably in the Spring, but when, exactly?).
If answers are not too esoteric for the full list, please share your reply
with us all; otherwise, a private reply will be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Martin

Martin Reid
Fort Worth, Texas
upupa(AT)airmail.net
http://www.martinreid.com


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Subject: Re: Japanese Photographic Field-Guides
From: Tom Tarrant <aviceda(AT)SUNSHINE.NET.AU>
Date: 7 Dec 2001 7:58pm

Following on from my earlier message anyone wishing to see samples of
the field-guides please visit this URL:
http://ats.com.au/~aviceda/japanguides.htm
Please let me know if there are any problems,

Tom

--
Tom and Marie Tarrant
Lot 10 (137) Watson Rd
Samsonvale, Queensland 4521
Australia

Tel: 07 3425 1780
Mob: 0409 264 725

Birding Southern Queensland
http://ats.com.au/~aviceda/


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Subject: RFI: variation in eye/bill colours on Common
         Pochard
From: Martin Reid <upupa(AT)AIRMAIL.NET>
Date: 7 Dec 2001 8:13pm

Dear all,
While browsing the responses to a Google search (http://images.google.com/)
on "Pochard", I was surprised to notice a few variables in Male Pochards,
and would like some input from those with experience of this taxon:
A) many birds seem to show a variably prominent yellow eyering:
http://www.junam.co.kr/jubird/JUNAM/IMAGE/winter%20bird/whitesusi.gif
;http://www.naturfoto-online.de/voegel/tafel-1.htm
;  http://www.putni.lv/lvp_aytfer-T_pic.htm - to my knowledge none of the
modern field guides mention this feature - is this a normal variation, and
what percentage of birds would have such yellowish eyerings?
B)  eye colour:- a few birds APPEAR (it may be a photographic artifact - in
some cases caused by the use of a flash) to have a yellow eye:
http://www.ddgi.es/espais/anecroig.htm ;
http://www.childrenpark.or.kr/zoo/me5_16.html  , or seem to suggest a
yellow ring around the pupil, with a reddish outer ring: - can anyone
confirm that such birds exist in real life?
C) bill pattern: a few birds seem to show a paler bill base, such that the
blue-grey subterminal band has an ill-defined inner border with the base:
http://www.colwick2000.freeserve.co.uk/birdsphotos/gd/pochard.jpg ;
-  these two: http://people.freenet.de/seeben/Tafelente.htm ; and
http://www.wwf.org.hk/images/maipo/wildlife/birds/m_wild_pochard.jpg seem
to combine points B) and C) - but this may be due to the poor image
quality. However, this excellent photo leaves me wondering :
http://www.kenyabirds.org.uk/pochard.htm (note also the unusually pale tail).

I look forward to getting some opinions on these examples - especially the
last one!
Cheers,
Martin

Martin Reid
Fort Worth, Texas
upupa(AT)airmail.net
http://www.martinreid.com