Bird Identification

[swainsons]

Moreletta park this morning. Warbler but not sure which one?? Help Please.

Regards

[SimonB]

Leon

It's a tricky one without a call but I'm going with African Reed Warbler, based on:

• habitat
• shape of forehead
• less distict eyebrow stripe
• shortish primaries

[swainsons]

Thanks Simon.....I was really trying to photograph a grassbird,and this guy came along.... Now he has us going again... Eish.... Anyway, I am off to Borakalalo this weekend... cant wait.

All the best

[MikevR]

To the Bird Fundies:

Photo taken early morning therefor sun may have over emphasised the brown plummage on breast? Cannot ID this bird. Photo taken in garden - long shot then cropped. Nelspruit - Kaapse Hoop area.

Regards

MikevR

[Hobbes]

Cape Robin Chat Cossypha isabellae I think.

[MikevR]

Cape Robin Chat Cossypha isabellae I think.

Thanks Hobbes for ID.
Picture 1 below is a pic from
http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/...pha_caffra.htm
Picture 2 below is from my garden.
I am sure your ID is correct! Well done.
Regards

MikevR

[mfuwefarmer]

Got this one from the rear and not sure what it is?

[MikevR]

Could it be the Klaas's Cuckoo? Difficult to decide as in the shadows. The male has the white markings on the wings. Not a common bird.

[Hobbes]

I'd go for a female or Juvenile Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava.

[MikevR]

I think you are right, could also be adult female.
http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/...haga_flava.htm
Regards
MikevR

[mfuwefarmer]

Thx I agree with you!

Bit disappointed that Roberts VII Multimedia does not have a photo of an immature or female. The Sasol Photographic FG Birds of SA has a good photo of a Black Cuckooshrike

[philo]

Took this photo at Mabuasehube in August. The book hasn't been all that helpful - any thoughts?

[j-ms]

I'd say young Ploceus velatus (Southern Masked Weaver).

[philo]

Thanks, had a look at some photos and that does seem right. The fluffiness confused me a little :P.

[Greg]

Hi,

Can anyone confirm this bird?



I think it is a Black-chested Snake-eagle...

At first glance, I thought Martial Eagle, but then I saw it doesn't have fully feathered legs. But the few spots underneath are throwing me - maybe a slightly juvenile Black-chested Snake-eagle?

I'm very new to birding, so maybe I'm way off!

Thanks,
Greg

[mfuwefarmer]

You are spot-on, an immature Balck-Chested SE

[j-ms]

You are spot-on, an immature Balck-Chested SE

I think it's a pretty mature bird. Juvenile BBSE's are a dull plain brown and very easily confused as Brown SE's. Snake Eagles are easy to differentiate from other eagles by their bare legs and bright yellow eyes (Aquilo eagles such as Tawny etc have brown eyes).

[Greg]

Thanks for the replies... Yep, my thinking is that it is very close to mature, but not quite (hence the few dark marks on the underside).

[mfuwefarmer]

Thanks for the replies... Yep, my thinking is that it is very close to mature, but not quite (hence the few dark marks on the underside).

Hence immature as opposed to juvenile

[Greg]

Hence immature as opposed to juvenile

Ah ha Now I understand the terminology better as well.