[squidoid]

Would appreciate help to confirm these IDs:
#1 - Lesser Sand Plover
#2 - Intermediate Egret
#3 - Grey Heron
#4 - White Bellied Sea Eagles
#5 - Pacific Reef Egret

Thank you!

[rockfowl]

Hi Squidoid,

1 - Malaysian Plover, female. Note 'scaley' upperparts
2 - Pacific Reef Egret - hell of a bill and shortish leg
3 - Not sure, any other pics, can't judge bill properly?
4 - Brahminy Kite, small beak, rufous upperparts..
5 - Agreed

Mark

[Steve Lister]

(2) is maybe a white-phase Pacific Reef Egret and (3) looks more like a Great-billed Heron.

Steve

[rockfowl]

Originally Posted by Steve Lister

(2) is maybe a white-phase Pacific Reef Egret and (3) looks more like a Great-billed Heron.

Steve

Am thinking the same for number 3 - http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdim...116&pagesize=1

[Lappkrabben]

Proportions in body and bill gives white phase PRE also for me.

I agree on great billed heron on 3 ( a species i´d like to see on some of my future trips to SE Asia)

[halftwo]

Originally Posted by Lappkrabben

I agree on great billed heron ... a species i´d like to see on some of my future trips to SE Asia)

Me too!

[squidoid]

Thank you everyone. The tips re. the distinguishing features were most helpful

[Lappkrabben]

Your welcome Squidoid.

One other identification-clue is the type of habitat the bird is seen in. It´s a "character" that should be used as a clue and not as a single character for getting the right ID.

For example; The PRE on your photo (2) is in typical PRE habitat.

But the same habitat (rocky beach) is a un-normal habitat for intermediate egret.

The use of habitat as a helping ID character will probably help you even the more experienced you get with this interest (birding).

Sometimes the birds appear in other habitats than we are used to and that can make one very confused. But as i see it thats the exciting part of this hobby.