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« Seeking Submissions: Scientia Pro Publica | Main | Birdbooker Report 104 »
Topic Categories: Birding • Education • Mystery Birds • Photography • Teaching • Travel
Posted on: February 7, 2010 9:59 AM, by "GrrlScientist"
tags: Jackson's Widowbird, Euplectes jacksoni, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Jackson's Widowbird, Euplectes jacksoni, photographed in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, Africa. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Dan Logen, February 2010 [larger view].
Nikon D2X, 600 x 1.4, ISO 320, f/5.6, 1/800 sec.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Life Science
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Comments
I don't know how to be cryptic about this one without being too obvious. I think it's a moonwalking relative of yesterdays bird, bereaved perhaps.
Posted by: Adrian | February 7, 2010 11:29 AM
I actually got Adrian's hints in 10 seconds. But I'll let someone else take the honours of revealing the answer. =)
Posted by: Hai~Ren | February 7, 2010 12:02 PM
In an amazing coincidence I have just been watching the courtship dance of this bird on the BBC's Natural World programme on the African Rift Valley.
Posted by: Adrian | February 7, 2010 4:35 PM
I guess that that is widow bird. .
Posted by: reibert | February 8, 2010 7:02 AM
Yes, It's a male Jackson's Widowbird, Euplectes jacksoni, in breeding plumage. The thick decurved tail, brown shoulders and brown edgings give the game away. It also clears a "dance floor" in the grassland habitat and bounces about like a mad thing to attract a female, similar to Birds of Paradise. (as seen on the BBC).
Posted by: Adrian | February 8, 2010 6:42 PM