Hello, Ausbirders:
On Monday, January 10 I birded Ormiston Gorge National Park, west of
Alice Springs. While walking the Pound Walk counter-clockwise I saw
what I am (nearly) certain was a Forest Kingfisher, at the first river
crossing. Because this location is well out of the range mapped for
Forest Kingfisher in my Australia field guides (Pizzey and Simpson &
Day) and in Fry et al.'s Kingfishers, Bee-Eaters & Rollers Handbook, I
thought I'd invite comments on my sighting.
The bird was steely blue above, with prominent white loral spots. Its
underparts were white. I recall that it was a male (with white
hindcollar), although I didn't specifically make a note of this point at
the time. It once uttered a four-note "kek-kek-kek-kek" call. In
flight, seen from above, I did not note any white wingspots -- and in
the view I had, I believe I would have seen them had they been present.
I'm fairly familiar with the appearance (but not the call) of both
Forest Kingfisher and Sacred Kingfisher, and believe it was the former
species.
What do you think? Does Forest Kingfisher wander enough that this
location is plausible for this species? Or, do you believe I
mis-identified the bird?
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Dave Quady
Berkeley, California
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