East African Bustards: Black-bellied or Hartlaub's (1 Viewer)

U

ugolino

Well-known member

• Aug 31, 2015

• #1

Dear all, I am still confused about these two very similar species...and would love your opinion as to my current identifications.

Photos 1 and 2: both taken in Uganda at Easter, I have called them Black-bellied
Photos 3 and 4: both taken in Kenya in August, I have called them Hartlaub
Photo 5: What about this one, also taken in Kenya in August ?

Thank you in advance, ugolino

 

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  Black-bellied Bustard (male) UGA 2451.JPG

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  Black-bellied Bustard (male) UGA 3693.JPG

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  Hartlaub's Bustard (male) KEN 7151.JPG

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  Hartlaub's Bustard (male) KEN 7182.JPG

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  Bustard (male) KEN 9592.JPG

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tconzemi

Tom

Supporter

• Aug 31, 2015

• #2

You are not the only one to be confused
First bird is Black-bellied
Last bird is Hartlaub's with diagnostic white spikes on coverts but not so diagnostic face
Second bird is Hartlaub's on face but missing spikes, although some tiny white border is visible so maybe abraded
So I am confused about #2

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Aug 31, 2015

• #3

#2 is Black-bellied IMHO

 

U

ugolino

Well-known member

• Aug 31, 2015

• #4

Thank you Tom and Valery !!!

You do not mention birds 3 and 4.... do you imply that indeed they are Hartlaub ?

Sorry about this extra post, but I wanted to make sure I understood you correctly.

Best, ugolino

 

tconzemi

Tom

Supporter

• Aug 31, 2015

• #5

Sorry for confusion, thought pic 1&2 was same bird as well as pic 3&4
So 1&2 Black-bellied
3&4 confusing
5 Hartlaub
3 has nice white thumb but a view of the coverts would be welcome,
4 looks better for Black-bellied anyway

 

U

ugolino

Well-known member

• Aug 31, 2015

• #6

Dear Tom and Valery,

I add first another picture of same bird as in photo 3, standing.

I also add then another picture of same bird as Photo 4, but not sure it will really help.

Thank you, ugolino

 

Attachments

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  Bustard KEN 7168.JPG

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  Bustard KEN 7186.JPG

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tconzemi

Tom

Supporter

• Aug 31, 2015

• #7

Both look better for Black-bellied

 

U

ugolino

Well-known member

• Aug 31, 2015

• #8

Thank you, Tom....At least, I have one Hartlaub's !!!