Unidentified BoP - El Palmar NP, NE Argentina (1 Viewer)

Captain_of_Crunch

YVdpep_re64

• Dec 13, 2008

• #1

Hi,

While birding a few weeks ago in El Palmar National Park (Entre Rios Province in NE Argentina), I found this rather tame BoP waiting out a rain shower. Despite getting good views and a few usable photographs I have so far been unable to positively identify it. I am just pitting this out here as I have reached a dead-end in Identification.... Any help is most welcome.

About the bird:
A small to medium sized raptor (Large Sparrowhawk), mostly grey coloured, except for the underparts which are white. The tail did not show any barring and there was no trace of rufous on the vent or thighs. No calls heard and the bird was very approachable (juvenile?).

Likely candidates:
(1) Plumbeous Kite: Has a red Iris and rufous on wings.
(2) Grey-bellied Hawk (Accipiter poliogaster): This is the most similar to unid BoP, though GBHawk should show a quite strongly barred tail which my bird did not show. GB Hawk is also extra-limital (?).
(3) Bicoloured Hawk (Accipiter bicolor): No rufous seen on thighs.

Thanks in advance,
P

 

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rockfowl

Mark Andrews

• Dec 14, 2008

• #2

Hi Peppershrike,

I can understand your problem here and can't really suggest anything other than the following -

I think you can rule out Plumbeous Kite - the primary length is way too short. Structurally, I would also think your bird is not 'heavy' enough for Grey-bellied Goshawk and is more in line with Bicoloured though plumage wise, evidently not!

I'm sure the likes of Rasmus et.al will come along and put you right..

 

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Dec 14, 2008

• #3

Agree with mark on this one - def not a kite nor Grey-bellied Hawk
My first thought was Bicoloured and I've found a couple of pjotos of birds resting that don't show the rufous thighs as they covered by other feathers. Don't know how reliable this is but I can't think of anything else either...
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Captain_of_Crunch

YVdpep_re64

• Dec 14, 2008

• #4

birdboybowley said:

My first thought was Bicoloured and I've found a couple of pjotos of birds resting that don't show the rufous thighs as they covered by other feathers. Don't know how reliable this is but I can't think of anything else either...
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Thanks for your comments Rockfowl & BBB; it seems Bicoloured is the most likely option.

I wonder if it might a juvenile bird, which has not developed the distinctive red thighs. The guide books I have consulted are rather vague in terms of descriptions of this plumage. Geographical variation seems to be also quite pronounced in Bicoloured Hawk. A new subspecies maybe?:-O

P

PS: Any links to photos would be appreciated!

 

Larry Sweetland

Formerly 'Larry Wheatland'

• Dec 15, 2008

• #5

The rufous thighs completely "disappeared" under grey feathers on a Chilean (Bicoloured) Hawk as I watched it take off and give clear views from below. Not sure if that helps with how this individual is carrying itself though.

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Dec 15, 2008

• #6

A juvenile should show the neck ring shown here http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Bicolored_Hawk. At least according to the description in Restall Birds of Northern SA.

Niels

 

Rasmus Boegh

BF member

• Dec 15, 2008

• #7

Def. Bicoloured. It's an adult. Juv's in this part of its range are completely different (see 1, 1a and 1d here: http://www.avesdobrasil.com.br/accipitridae/gavioes5.htm), and look nothing like the juv's of the commonly described nominate (which in any case never are as grey below or on the collar as this individual, and always have at least some dark markings on the auriculars; http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=97858). The rufous thighs are commonly difficult to see. Grey-bellied is quite similar, and the potential for much confusion exists due to "more-or-less" accurate descriptions in many (if not most) books. Anyhow, it can be excluded by jizz, greyness below & contrast of dark crown. While not 100% certain (sample still too small), it also appears light-cheeked morphs of the Grey-bellied typically are orange-eyed, whereas dark-cheeked typically are yellow-eyed.

 

Last edited: Dec 15, 2008

Birdingcraft

Well-known member

• Dec 16, 2008

• #8

My first impression was Bicolored Hawk as well. I have never seen the rufous thighs on the few Bicolored Hawks I have seen. Way to get photos of this widespread yet infrequently seen species!

 

Fritz73

Wat mutt, dat mutt!

Staff member

Supporter

• Dec 16, 2008

• #9

Really nice pictures of the Bicolored Hawk.

 

Captain_of_Crunch

YVdpep_re64

• Dec 16, 2008

• #10

Thanks for all the comments and confirming the ID of the raptor as a Bicoloured Hawk.

P

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Dec 18, 2008

• #11

There is not a single image of bicolored H in the gallery, so please upload at least one of these!

Cheers
Niels