birding-aus

Kingfisher Identification Help Please

To: "David Stowe" <>
Subject: Kingfisher Identification Help Please
From: "Anthony Overs" <>
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:36:20 +1000
I'd add that the Forest Kingfisher's tail is longer compared to the
Little Kingfisher (which looks like it barely has a tail at all). And
from memory, the Little's bill is all black, whereas the Forest's bill
has the pale bit at the base of the lower mandible (evident in the
pics).

Anthony

On 9/30/08, David Stowe <> wrote:
> Hi Barry,
> Definitely Forest Kingfisher. Very common to see them on wires like that.
> Little Kingfisher are more a bird of denser habitat along water. So habitat
> alone would rule out Little.
> When you do see a LIttle you will be amazed at how little it is even
> compared to a Forest. They are also a bit greener on the back than the
> Forest and don't have as much white in general.
> I have a couple of shots at:
> http://www.pbase.com/davidstowe/little_kingfisher
> There will be better on the net with a quick google search but this should
> give you a bit more of an idea.
>
> I'm sure others could give a more detailed description of the differences
> but hope this helps.
>
> Cheers
> David Stowe
>
>
> On 30/09/2008, at 9:18 AM,  wrote:
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > I'm an American birder who is "doing" Queensland this year, and I would
> like
> > some help with the identification of a couple of Kingfishers I saw
> > yesterday.  The location was the valley leading to the Big Crystal Creek
> camping area,
> > between Paluma and the Bruce Highway - that is, between Townsville  and
> > Ingham in Queensland.
> >
> > They seemed very small to me, and I think they are Little Kingfishers, but
>  I
> > have never seen a Little Kingfisher before, and I know they are pretty
> > uncommon.  I haven't heard of them being seen in that area, either.   The
> other
> > possibility is Forest Kingfisher, but I have only seen them once  before,
> so I am
> > not familiar with them either.
> >
> > My reasons for thinking they are Little Kingfishers are the size  (always
> > hard to judge, though, when there aren't other birds around to compare
> them to),
> > the shape of the head, and the lack of any white on the back of the  neck.
>  I
> > also could not discern any black eye stripe, either with  binoculars or in
> > the images.
> >
> > The images aren't the greatest, but I only have a point and shoot camera,
> > and they were up on wires, so not very close.  I would appreciate any
> opinions
> > as to the species.
> >
> > The images can be seen at
> www.barry15.com/2008_Trip/Kingfishers .   Click on
> > a thumbnail to see an 800x600 cropped image.  Thanks very much for  any
> help.
> > My internet access isn't great right now, but I should be able  to check
> for
> > any replies in a day or so.
> >
> > Barry Brugman
> > USA
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > **************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial
> > challenges?  Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips
> and
> > calculators.
> (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)
> > ===============================
> > www.birding-aus.org
> > birding-aus.blogspot.com
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this mailing list,
> > send the message:
> > unsubscribe
> > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
> > to: 
> > ===============================
> >
>
> ===============================
> www.birding-aus.org
> birding-aus.blogspot.com
>
> To unsubscribe from this mailing list,send the message:
> unsubscribe(in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
> to: 
> ===============================
>
===============================
www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com

To unsubscribe from this mailing list, 
send the message:
unsubscribe 
(in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
to: 
===============================

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the birding-aus mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the archive e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU