Hi Peter and Tony,
It is an adult male Swamp Harrier and not an adult male Papuan Harrier
because on current knowledge Papuan Harrier in this plumage shows all
dark (black) unbarred outer primaries, whereas Swamp Harrier shows
clearly barred primaries. A Papuan Harrier in this plumage I think would
also show a cleaner white underwing with less (possibly no) brown on the
underwing coverts, a neater and more narrow black trailing edge to the
underwing and a darker head. Swamp Harriers that look like the bird
photographed aren't seen that often but with more and more people
carrying digital cameras they are being reported (and correctly
identified) more frequently these days.
The original photo is here
http://www.birdpedia.com/files/au/observation/Vic/jpg/7471551374_0001_0002.jpg
Cheers,
Rohan
--
Rohan Clarke
www.wildlifeimages.com.au
Latest updates
http://www.pbase.com/wildlifeimages/root&view=recent
Subject: Re: RE: [Birding-Aus] FW: Birdpedia - Australia - Notification
of a New General Sighting Report - Members
From: Peter Shute <>
Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2011 03:47:00 +1100
Great photo though. Apart from the unlikelihood of Papuan Harrier, what
makes
it a Swamp Harrier, that could be seen in the field? Speckling on the
wings?
Throat not heavily streaked? Primaries don't have enough black on them?
P&K (ed 7) shows different amounts of black on the primaries in different
pictures of PH - all black on p 137, half black on p 143. Is that a
mistake or
a variation?
Peter Shute
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