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        Special Topics 特別主題 >> Black-eared Kite 鳶(麻鷹) >>  Why is the Black-eared Kite head so pale?
        
(Message started by: bfspoonbill on Feb 12^th, 2006, 12:48am)

Title: Why is the Black-eared Kite head so pale?
Post by bfspoonbill on Feb 12^th, 2006, 12:48am

From others' photos, the throat should be paler than the head. But this one looks different. The wing is also paler. Why?

http://everwell.dynu.com:3880/BirdWatching/20060211-PalerHeadBlackKite/P2110134-a.jpg
11/2/2006; Sunset; Peak Road towards Magazine Gap

Title: Re: Why is the Black-eared Kite head so pale?
Post by bfspoonbill on Feb 12^th, 2006, 12:32pm

More (low quality) photos of Black-eared Kite yesterday late afternoon and sunset for comparison.

http://everwell.dynu.com:3880/BirdWatching/20060211-PalerHeadBlackKite/P2110111-a.jpg

http://everwell.dynu.com:3880/BirdWatching/20060211-PalerHeadBlackKite/P2110130-as.jpg

http://everwell.dynu.com:3880/BirdWatching/20060211-PalerHeadBlackKite/P2110131-a.jpg

http://everwell.dynu.com:3880/BirdWatching/20060211-PalerHeadBlackKite/P2110138-as.jpg

http://everwell.dynu.com:3880/BirdWatching/20060211-PalerHeadBlackKite/P2110142-as.jpg

Title: Re: Why is the Black-eared Kite head so pale?
Post by Etta on Feb 14^th, 2006, 2:40pm

on 02/12/06 at 00:48:12, bfspoonbill wrote:

Nice observation, bfspoonbill. One possible reason: there would have different between individuals.

Look at this: a Kite's head close up by Owen.
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Blackkite;action=display;num=1123232239

In general, Kite's plumage colour may fade and looks pale due to long time sunlight exposure and dust.

My two cents. :)