Pizzey Whipbirds

[rcj <>]

Just trying to clarify sex identification of adult Eastern Whipbirds.

Pizzey indicates that the sexes have different plumage, but I am not sure that
this is the case. The plate on p425 illustrates male, female and immature. I
believe that the illustrations should be adult, immature and juvenile. The
text also indicates that the female has different plumage to the male. Other
references (Slater, RD, Simpson & Day) indicate no plumage differences between
the sexes. This would seem to be corroborated in the NPIAW series (The Robins
Flycatchers of Australia - pps 407, 409) where two identically-plumaged adults
are at the nest. Interestingly, his previous volume with Doyle also
differentiates the sexes by plumage.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Jill Dening
Sunshine Coast

 (per Bob James)