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AlanR · Thursday 7th February 2008, 13:26

OK, here's the next one fom Cyprus.
30 January was quite stormy weather and this bird was driven in to a short stay in a harbour by our hotel. I'm pretty convinced it's a Diver (or Loon) and the upturned stance of the beak makes me guess at Red-throated.
My book seem to suggest that neither Red-throated nor Black-Throated visit Cyprus much. Are these pictures enought to be sure which one it was?
It did dive quite a lot and flew around in the harbour a couple of times. The flight shots may be helpful. Looking at it through binoculars it always had its beak upturned like this.
It was probably 300 metres away, photographed from the hotel, as it didn't stay long. The picture with a Hooded Crow in the foreground may clarify its size.
Alan

spizaetos · Thursday 7th February 2008, 13:29

I'm sorry but I have to disappoint you Alan!
It's not a Diver but a cormorant spp.sinensis in breeding plumage.

Regards

Paschalis

James Lowther · Thursday 7th February 2008, 13:29

i'm afraid that's a cormorant. The continental birds have extensive white heads and necks

AlanR · Thursday 7th February 2008, 13:47

Thanks. I did see some Cormorants at a distance with some white markings, and also one very close which was almost all black.
I'm always glad I checked when things turn out wrong.
Alan

Cristian Mihai · Thursday 7th February 2008, 17:45

Yep, cormorant.

Brosnabirder · Thursday 7th February 2008, 17:58

Hello Alan
You're not the first person to misidentify [is that a word] a cormorant as a diver and you won't be the last. Happens all the time. Heaving seas don't help either.

AlanR · Thursday 7th February 2008, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brosnabirder

Hello Alan
You're not the first person to misidentify [is that a word] a cormorant as a diver and you won't be the last. Happens all the time. Heaving seas don't help either.

Thanks. Much appreciated.
Alan

njlarsen · Thursday 7th February 2008, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanR

Thanks. I did see some Cormorants at a distance with some white markings, and also one very close which was almost all black.
I'm always glad I checked when things turn out wrong.
Alan

Did you consider Shag for the very dark one? I remember seeing them more often than cormorant in the Mediterranean

Niels

AlanR · Friday 8th February 2008, 07:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by njlarsen

Did you consider Shag for the very dark one? I remember seeing them more often than cormorant in the Mediterranean

Niels

Yes I did but I find it very difficult to tell the difference. It looks like a Cormorant to me but I am open to comments on this bird.
Alan

BobTag · Friday 8th February 2008, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanR

Yes I did but I find it very difficult to tell the difference. It looks like a Cormorant to me but I am open to comments on this bird.
Alan

It's a Cormorant as well

AlanR · Friday 8th February 2008, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobTag

It's a Cormorant as well

Thanks.
It was worth a try!
Alan

Thursday 7th February 2008, 13:26	#1
AlanR Bird photographer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Posts: 11,518 My location	Red-throated (?) Loon at Paphos, Cyprus OK, here's the next one fom Cyprus. 30 January was quite stormy weather and this bird was driven in to a short stay in a harbour by our hotel. I'm pretty convinced it's a Diver (or Loon) and the upturned stance of the beak makes me guess at Red-throated. My book seem to suggest that neither Red-throated nor Black-Throated visit Cyprus much. Are these pictures enought to be sure which one it was? It did dive quite a lot and flew around in the harbour a couple of times. The flight shots may be helpful. Looking at it through binoculars it always had its beak upturned like this. It was probably 300 metres away, photographed from the hotel, as it didn't stay long. The picture with a Hooded Crow in the foreground may clarify its size. Alan Attached Thumbnails __________________ Kila ndege huruka na mbawa zake. Every bird flies with its own wings. Cheltenham Bird Club

Thursday 7th February 2008, 13:29	#2
spizaetos Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Munich Posts: 671 My location	I'm sorry but I have to disappoint you Alan! It's not a Diver but a cormorant spp.sinensis in breeding plumage. Regards Paschalis __________________ www.dougalis-art.com http://dougalis-wildlifeart.blogspot.com/

Thursday 7th February 2008, 13:47	#4
AlanR Bird photographer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Posts: 11,518 My location	Thanks. I did see some Cormorants at a distance with some white markings, and also one very close which was almost all black. I'm always glad I checked when things turn out wrong. Alan __________________ Kila ndege huruka na mbawa zake. Every bird flies with its own wings. Cheltenham Bird Club

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