tags: Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Grey-headed Kingfisher, also known as the Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala, photographed near the Pangani River Camp, Tanzania, Africa. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Dan Logen, 13 January 2010 [larger view].
Nikon D300, 600 mm VR lens, ISO 800, 1/1000 sec, f/7.1, Exposure compensation -.7.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Life Science
Education
Comments
"Conceived" by the "sea salt" during the winter solstice, of the 13 possible species in this genus for Tanzania, there are only three that are similar- the all-red bill eliminates one, and that chestnut belly eliminates the other...
Posted by: David Hilmy | March 14, 2010 10:12 AM
Got it in one David. The belly colour is diagnostic of this one.
I was expecting another Batis or Lanius from Grrl, or a US Bunting.
Posted by: Adrian | March 14, 2010 11:08 AM
heh, heh. well, there's always tomorrow!
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | March 14, 2010 11:18 AM
well, there are not that many to choose from, right...?
Posted by: David Hilmy | March 14, 2010 11:34 AM
Slightly off-topic David, I've just received an e-mail about a book called "Speciation and Biogeography of Birds" by Ian Newton. It brings together all the recent research in these areas. At £64.00 it's a bit out of my reach at the moment, but I've added it to my wish list.
Posted by: Adrian | March 14, 2010 11:41 AM
Looks great, Adrian (even the "used" copies over here are $75+, new over $100)... perhaps Grrl can ask to review a copy and then "auction" it off on a challenging Mystery Bird ID?
Posted by: David Hilmy | March 14, 2010 11:55 AM
oh, now that's an interesting idea. since i research speciation and biogeography of parrots, that is a title i'd wish to keep after i've reviewed it, BUT that said, it might be possible that i can get a second copy and use that as a prize for IDing an especially mysterious bird, as you suggested, david.
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | March 14, 2010 12:08 PM
Good idea David, but I think it will be hard to give everyone a chance, perhaps a series of tests and high score wins. If Grrl has the time and inclination, that is.
I've just gone to your Meyr link and haven't things changed a lot since 1946! Isn't the latest estimate approaching 10,600 species?
Posted by: Adrian | March 14, 2010 1:21 PM
Should we identify this bird? It's a Grey=headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala.
Posted by: Adrian | March 14, 2010 8:09 PM