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From the reaction since this morning it looks like the "Yays" are in an overwhelming majority. So the sting stays in the tail!

Challenge #19 for 2012

#1



#2



#3



#4



#5



#6



#7




Bonus points:

Which of these birds are brood parasites and which its host (2)
Which of these birds lay the strongest egg? (1)
Why is the stronger egg needed? (1)
Which of these birds can eat toxic caterpillars? (1)
Which of these birds is closest related to a warbler? (1)

Challenge score base is 13 points. The fun-factor is way up! Enjoy!

thank you, thank you, thank you

This is the results of challenge #18 of 2012. This challenge was the “easiest ever”, beating the previous “easiest ever” marginally by returning an average score of 86.8%

We had 18 ‘mites taking part.

The results are as follows:
We had 17 ‘mites participating.
Two ‘mites scored 7;
two ‘mites scored 9;
three scored 10;
five scored 11 and
four got all IDs correct.

It is too late for this week’s challenge, but from the next onward, I’ll have to concentrate on setting up tests that are worthy of your “new” abilities…



#1 – Wilsons Phalarope. [13] got the "wader" right. Mutorashanga
remarked: Typical phalarope profile; very high in the water. Light grey back, cap and eyestripe (more in front of the eye), underparts are light coloured. Light coloured supercillium. Bill is long and needle like. The bills of the other phalaropes are shorter. It was not "the other" phalaropes that caused an ID problem, but Marsh sandpiper. davejenny used Roberts to give the distinguishing features between these two: bill longer than head, very thin, black (Marsh Sandpiper has thicker shorter bill). Nonbreeding: Above pale grey; below white; grey line through eye



#2 – Whinchat Male. [18] Fooled nobody.



#3 – Garganey, female, vagrant / escapee. [17] only one ‘mite missed this ID. Quite a few missed out on the uncertainty factor: is it a vagrant or is it an escapee. Garganey are often kept in collections in the region and escapee status is subsequently attached to most sightings in the region, although the possibility of a reverse migration may still exist.



#4 – Ruppells Vulture. [18] Presented little trouble this time round…



#5 – Superb Starling, escapee. [18] I am quite pleased that everyone got this ID. Most ‘mites also earned the three points on offer here.



#6 – Eurasian Oysterchather. [18] Everyone scored on this ID. Unmistakeable bird.



#7 – Olive Bee-Eater. [17] Another ID that presented little trouble.



#8 – Bronzy Sunbird. [16] davejenny quoted out of Roberts: Male: Entirely metallic bronze and amethyst (not green like Malachite Sunbird), looks blackish in some light; belly sooty black; central rectrices elongated; wings dark chocolate brown; no eclipse plumage.. . MattAxel suggests that only 3 sunbirds in the region have a long tail and Bronzy is the only one with a, well... Bronzy colouring



#9 – Augur Buzzard Immature. [7] This was the most difficult of the challenge birds. Ladybirder wrote: Augur Buzzard, sub adult has irregular blotches on front; wings longer than the tail; orange-yellow cere and gape, and the undertail of a juvenile is greyish-brown.. davejenny said he ruled out goshawks, falcons and large eagles because clearly the wings are longer than the tail. davejenny quotes his most accurate reference for this ID: Oberprieler/Cillie The Raptor Guide of Southern Africa: Juv: The juvenile may be confused with the juvenile Jackal Buzzard. The upperparts are grey-brown with some buff markings. The underparts are buff to nearly white with a variable amount of streaks on the sides of the throat and chest. A photograph carrying similar markings is on page 105

Thanks again to those 'mites who so dilligently add explanatory notes with their IDs.

Hi Johan. I'm on board and looking forward to the challenge

This is my first time. Would like to know if there is a time limit?

Welcome aboard, Sharifa. Yes, there is a time limit. The answers are normally posted by Wednesday a week later. Sometimes regular participants run into work or family commitments that leave them rushed. They ask for and is granted an extra day or two, which means everybody waits... The new challenge is mostly posted on Wednesdays, unless I run into time-management problems.

A very interesting challenge indeed, thanks Johan!

Thanks Johan

Better get on with it then

difficult one!

My answers are in, but.....

Well, we'll see

That was quick Dabchick! But I think if you know your birds, you can do it in no time. I am a very slow "identifier" if there is such a word!

Hilda - I think I'm just too impatient to wait --- have to know now if I've got them right or not

And now the frustration.... 10/13 ... I was only unsure of the identity of no. 3. So what else did I get wrong? Maybe the LBJ? May some of the "twist" questions?

Almost done, just want to check something on no 7...

My answers are in

Shew! Also a newbie - its my second time attempting the Bird ID challenge - hard one. Also can't wait to see my answers. Thanks Johan

Eish! A big bowl of humilty for me on this one
One day when I'm big I'll get it right

welcome to the forum tosha and good luck

me too Roan... me too