[cfoto]

Hi,

Hoping you guys could give me a help with identifying this birds. I'm speculating that it's a Emerald Dove but the beak and the outline of the eyes are a bit different. Please take a look and let me know if you know what it is.

http://cfoto.smugmug.com/gallery/780...591_TfdVx-L-LB

Thanks so much!

Chris

[wintibird]

I'm not entirely sure, but the only thing I can think about is Emerald Dove as well, a female I'd say. But as you say, the eyes don't really fit and the bird is very pale.

André

[rockfowl]

Hi Chris,

Looks like a Green Imperial Pigeon, have a scroll through these - http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdim...=91&pagesize=1

Mark

[wintibird]

Ah, that would explain the pale underside and head.

[cfoto]

Thanks both of you! I think Mark has hit the nail on the head! It's the closest thing I must agree. I didn't quite catch the pale underside of the bird as well, so good call on your part Andre. Anyways, thanks again Mark, you did it again!

Chris

[MKinHK]

Dear Chris

Good photo!

This is a very interesting record. could I ask when you photographed this bird and where in HK. If it is a wild bird it would be the first record for Hong kong and many people would be interested to see it.

Cheers
Mike

[cfoto]

Hey Min,

Unfortunately, this wasn't taken in the wild. The picture was taken just about a month ago at the Hong Kong park Aviary near Central I believe.

On another note, I was actually quite taken back when I saw a Bali Starling at there. I believe it's one of the rarer and most endangered birds in the world. If you haven't been to the Aviary in Hong Kong park, I think it's worth a visit.

Hope that helps!!!

All the best,
Chris

[MKinHK]

Dear Chris

Many thanks for clarifying .

I know the aviary well. It has a range of birds from around the region and is managed by the same people who manage the Zoological & Botanic Garden bird collection. ZBG has a very good record for breeding threatened species including Bali Starling.

There are several old records of Green Imperial Pigeon from Guangdong province so it is a possible vagrant to Hong Kong.

Cheers
Mike

Ps Like your pix of Cattle Egrets with the cows (I guess at Pui O on Lantau?) and of the Great Egret with the mullet (the fish not the haircut).

[cfoto]

Hey Mike,

Is the Botanical and Zoological Garden next or close to the Aviary? I think I remember friend of mine mentioning a garden in the proximity of the Aviary. It's a really great cause that their doing; I'm sure most of us here hate to see anything go extinct.

I'm glad you liked the pictures. I believe the location of where both these pictures were taken is a place called "Lok Gang". I hope that makes sense; I'm not entirely sure of the ping ying. It's somewhat near Sha Tin where there's a large reservoir.

On another note, I had the chance to venture out at Mai Po today. It's such a beautiful place. Still haven't had time to take a look at the shots today but it was a great experience. I'm sure you've been there before; I keep seeing bulletin boards mentioning "membership required" or something along the lines of that. I haven't really heard anybody mention anything about a membership and it doesn't seem to be regulated as well. Know anything about that?

All the best,
Chris