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« What's Wrong with Philip | Main | Birds in the News 176 »
Topic Categories: Birding • Education • Mystery Birds • Ornithology • Photography • Teaching • Zoology
Posted on: June 22, 2009 9:59 AM, by "GrrlScientist"
tags: Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta, photographed in Walvis Bay, Namibia, Africa [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Dennis Paulson, April 2007 [larger view].
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Life Science
Education
Comments
I'd say it's a Pied Avocet. The black and white pattern of the plumage is pretty distinct, and the strongly upwards curved beak is also a good field mark.
Posted by: Niko | June 22, 2009 10:19 AM
Someone call the RSPD - their logo has escaped!
Posted by: Bob O'H | June 22, 2009 10:39 AM
It's definitely an un-American Avocet. Probably a commie, too. Quick, somebody call Rush Limbaugh!
Posted by: dhogaza | June 22, 2009 12:25 PM
Black/white plumage and the upturned bill make this Pied Avocet. Your comment about the bird being an African resident is true, since the species is present all year round in much of its African range, but somewhat misleading for a bird also found in much of Europe.
Posted by: Larry Gardella | June 22, 2009 8:12 PM
Recurvirostra avosetta. That upturned bill and the particular black and white plumage make it practically unmistakeable.
Posted by: António Matos | June 22, 2009 9:37 PM
Definitely a Pied Avovet. Upturned bill, Black on white feather coloration of head,
Posted by: Frank | June 24, 2009 1:08 AM