Sean, I agree with Philip about the Flycatcher, most likely a Leaden in the ANBG but cannot rule out an early return migrant Satin from its breeding grounds in the mountains.
I gave a talk at the COG meeting on them last week, emphasising how subtle it is to tell the females apart. The only feature able to be seen on your photo is the undertail, but it’s not possible
to say whether it’s lighter or darker.
I’ll forward a copy of my presentation separately as the chat line rules won’t allow it.
Regards
Jack Holland
From: Philip Veerman <>
Sent: Thursday, 20 February 2020 5:39 PM
To: 'Sean Fitzgerald' <>;
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Help with ID of 2 birds at the ANBG, 2nd message.
Sean,
Yes you are right in both cases - noting your 2X use of the word “or”.
I wonder whether anyone could ID the flycatcher on that photo. On front view there is not much to go on. Is the underside of the tail dark or pale?
Hard to know as it is half in shade. The wing edges and back are not visible. Not really anything else available to go on. So I for one wouldn’t offer anything other than Leaden is generally more common.
As for the thornbill, it is easier. It is a Brown Thornbill. Red eye, heavy markings on breast, generally brown (not olive) colour above, scalloping
(not streaks) on top of head, those are the main features.
Philip
From: Sean Fitzgerald
Sent: Thursday, 20 February, 2020 4:50 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Help with ID of 2 birds at the ANBG, 2nd message.
Last Saturday we were getting some shots of birds at the ANBG and although numbers seem to have been lower, I assume because of the storm damage at the ANBG, we shot a couple of birds
I haven't seen that close before. As far as I can work out the first one is a female Satin Flycatcher or a Leaden Flycatcher (1st message) and the 2nd one is either a Striated Thornbill or a Brown Thornbill (2nd message).
I'd appreciate some more experienced eyes to have a look at the attached photos for a better ID of these 2 birds. Apologies for the Lo-Res, noisy high ISO images, I hope they are sufficient
for ID purposes.
Thanks in advance…
Cheers, Sean
Sean Fitzgerald
