These photos look correctly identified from the overall proportions and tail patterns. If the LHC in the link above is representative, it seems that young LHCs show streaking and then transit to barring in the underparts while HHCs change from juv. streaks to more rufous, finer streaking of the adult. The bird in question seems to show very slender proportions i.e. looks more like LHC to me... but I won't bet on it! Author: kmike Time: 18/09/2011 05:14
Fair point Brendan. I'd be interested to hear the views of others
Mike K Author: lpaul Time: 31/01/2012 09:55
I missed this thread previously and have been made aware of the photo by Geoff Welch.
I think this is almost certainly a first-winter Northern Hawk Cuckoo (which would only be thr fourth HK record and the first since 1997).
It is clearly not Large Hawk Cuckoo as the wings are too long. Although you cannot see the tips of the longest primary the distance between the wing tip and tail tip (outer tail feather on L side can be clearly seen) is actually very short (and possible too short even for Hodgson's).
In terms of plumage the clean white (rather than off-white) underparts with bold black (rather than brownish) streaking fit Northern rather than Hodgson's.
The date is later than any previous Hodgson's record, for which 24 August seems to be the latest record (contra the entry for this species in the 2007-08 Bird Report) but somewhat earlier than any of the Northern records which span 29 September to 27 October.
However, any additional photos, especially those which show the true extent of the primary projection anf the tail pattern would be most useful in clincing the ID. Author: Tony Time: 3/02/2012 17:13
Where is this picture taken? Seems the exif data says it was taken 13 August 2007. Author: wgeoff Time: 4/02/2012 06:34
This photo has been reviewed by the Records Committee, accepted as a first-winter Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo and appears in the recently published 2007-08 Bird Report.
The location is Mui Tze Lam and the date is 13 August 2007.
The latest accepted record for Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo is 2 September, at Shing Mun in 2009 and photographed by Wallace Tse, see the thread given above by Brendan in comment number 5.
[ Last edited by wgeoff at 4/02/2012 08:44 ]
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