twallace

23/11/2008
Long Valley


[ Last edited by twallace at 25/11/2008 09:33 ]

tmichael

Are you sure this isn't just a Yellow Wagtail?

Mike Turnbull

twallace

Hi Mike,
Another view for this bird, any suggestion


Thanks.

lpaul

Looks good for Citrine to me.  It has a very broad supercilium, so if a Yellow Wagtail it can only be taivana (of the taxa occurring in HK) which would have solid and dark ear coverts.  This bird has classic Citrine pale centred ear coverts.   Some Citrines do not have a complete pale border to the ear-coverts, although this does look complete in the second photo.  Pale forehead is also a good Citrine and anti Yellow feature.  Bill also looks long which again favours Citrine.

twallace

Many thanks Mike and Paul Leader expert opinion.

Cheers
Wallace

tmichael

Thanks from me too to Paul for the elucidation, though (a) I'd only seen the first photo (b) it still seems that this is a 'balance of probability' id, though acceptable as such. Also I wasn't aware of the pale centre to the ear coverts area point (though on reflection I think quite a lot - mostly scrutinized in photos - do, it is true show this feature), and I don't really see how this bird shows a very obvious pale forehead. I guess the bill does look fine, and have learnt something there.

Mike Turnbull