ID help

["David Cook" <>]

Philip’s reply about juvenile harrier rump colour has got me thinking about a photo I took recently near Cameron Corner, in north-east South Australia. It is of a harrier, and obviously a young one, but because it has a dark rump I have identified it (probably mis-identified) as a Spotted Harrier. I think I have always assumed that pale rump = Swamp Harrier and dark rump = Spotted Harrier.

 

It troubled me at the time because of the dark rump, and because I thought it looked more like a Swamp Harrier. What do you think?

 

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David

 

From:

Sent: Saturday, November 30, 2013 11:37 AM

To: ; m("anu.edu.au","robin.hide");">'Robin Hide' ;

Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] ID help

 

Yes Dennis is right. Although juvenile Swamp Harriers don't have a white rump, so that is not of itself diagnostic but in combination with that juvenile Swamp Harriers are very dark, it is. Even though the photo isn't clear, the easily seen amount of spotting and bars in the wing and tail make it sure to be a Spotted Harrier. Also Spotted Harrier is more slender than Swamp Harrier, which the photo fits. I would expect more Spotted Harriers than Swamp Harriers out Harden way.

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Denis Wilson [
Sent: Saturday, 30 November 2013 9:52 AM
To: Robin Hide; COG bird discussions
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] ID help

It is a Spotted Harrier.
No white rump, which rules out the Swamp Harrier.
Long legs, spotted plumage,  Strong brown colour all fit Spotted Harrier.

See photo here

http://birdway.com.au/accipitridae/spotted_harrier/source/image/spotted_harrier_09785.jpg

Denis Wilson

 

Denis Wilson
Springtime - Ya wouldn't be dead for Quids.

"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com.au

On Sat, Nov 30, 2013 at 7:28 AM, Robin Hide <> wrote:

This raptor was hunting low over wheat fields just out of Harden yesterday - snapped from car window.

Am I right in thinking it’s likely to be  a Swamp Harrier? (from flying/hunting mode, colouring, wingtips, legs etc)

Thanks,

Robin Hide