Hi Mike & Nikolas,
I've looked through my photos and I took 2 sets of shots, one from 10.40:39 -
10.41:27 and the second from 10.44:07 - 10.44:50, seen at the link below.
http://www.pbase.com/rob_hynson/eaglehawk_neck_pelagics
In the first set of photos I see the neck smudge/irregularity Nikolas refers to
when viewing the bird from the right and the mandibular unguis does not look
that dark. The second set of photos (which are much closer) shows a much darker
mandibular unguis, of the photos posted from the second set, only one is in
flight viewing the bird from the right, I think the neck smudge is there but
its not a great angle for comparison. Also from the second set of photos, the
bird on the water looks like it has the same mark although not an ideal
comparison.
I also think the bill colouration does change with different angles, in some
views the bill looks yellow/dusky yellow where at other angles especially with
closer views, the dark mandibular unguis is quite obvious.
I still think we are dealing with one bird and a combination of asymitry in
bill colouration and a trick of the light may be at play but given the short
time between my two sets of photos and not being able to confirm the neck
smudge when viewing the bird from the right I can't rule out the possibility of
two birds.
Does anyone know if the mandibular unguis is in plane with the rest of the
bill? Im just wondering if it is tilted in or tilted out would this lead to the
mandibular unguis looking dark at some angles and concolourous with the rest of
the bill at other angles?
cheers,
Rob
--- On Sun, 11/9/11, Nikolas Haass <> wrote:
From: Nikolas Haass <>
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Eaglehawk Neck,Tasmania - Pelagic Reports 3&4 Sept
2011 - photos. TWO not one CHATHAM ALBATROSS?
To: "Mike Carter" <>, "Daniel Mantle"
<>, "" <>
Cc: "Jeff Davies" <>, "Rohan Clarke"
<>, "David James" <>, "david
mitford" <>, "rob hynson" <>
Date: Sunday, 11 September, 2011, 13:57
Hi Mike,
Interesting point! I had a look through the posted pictures again - although I
haven't had a chance yet to look through all pictures. It appears that the
mandibular unguis seen from the right looks paler than seen from the left. If
you look at the shape of the gray/white border at the neck, there is a slight
irregularity on the right side seen on most pictures (from the right) but #9889
and #0003 (in both cases the angle makes it difficult to impossible to see that
particular area). On the left side there is a very conspicuous pattern with a
line diverging from the left laterodorsal base of the hood towards the chest.
This is seen on all pictures where the angle makes it possible to judge.
Therefore I believe that it is only one bird and that the difference seen in
the mandibular unguis is a combination of as asymmetry (R<L) and a "trick of
light".
What do you think, Mike?
Dan, David (M) and Rob, what do you think? What do your pictures show?
Cheers,
Nikolas
----------------
Nikolas Haass
Sydney, NSW
From: Mike Carter <>
To: Nikolas Haass <>; Daniel Mantle <>;
Cc: Jeff Davies <>; Rohan Clarke
<>; David James <>
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2011 10:20 AM
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Eaglehawk Neck,Tasmania - Pelagic Reports 3&4 Sept
2011 - photos. TWO not one CHATHAM ALBATROSS?
Hi Nik & Dan,
You list seeing only one Chatham Albatross on your Eaglehawk pelagic on 3
September (see below) and none on 4 September but it appears to me that Raja
photographed two! One is a typical bird with virtually the whole of the
mandibular unguis black but the other has very little black there. So at a
distance the bill would appear wholly yellow. Have I properly understood? Your
comments please.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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