Are there two birds - a male and a female ?
Checking the 10 or so postings about Painted Snipe at this
site since Gina Hopkins-Brown found one on 21 October, I see
that 3 contributors have opted for "male" and 3 for
"immature female" (discounting the contributor who later
"corrected" to male). None have gone for mature female.
Quoted sources were "Pizzey" (for male) and Hanzab (for
female). There was also a reference to the Morcombe guide
marking the pictures of both mature birds with the male
symbol.
The bird I saw on 3 occasions on Monday 29 Oct. was an
immature female - definitely longer than a blackbird, copper
nape, no broader light bands on wings (referred to Slater on
site and 4 other books at home).
If anyone wants to retract an identification anonymously
they can contact me. But they might trust Russell more !
I'd also be interested in any views on the sex of birds seen
by people who did not report this in their postings etc.
I'll summarise any responses.
Hoping the locals will go and listen for calls at dusk, and
even record them.
Michael Norris
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
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