World Rarities - the most widely strung species?! (1 Viewer)

[lewis20126]

What do people think are the most widely strung rare species on foreign trips? I've got a few suggestions and wonder if others can supplement the list:

Madagascar: Dusky Greenbul, Madagascar Sparrowhawk
Halmahera: Dusky Friarbird,
New Guinea: Papuan Parrotfinch, Pygmy Longbill, Olive and Tawny Straightbills,
Colombia: Santa Marta Sabrewing,
Chile: Rufous-tailed Hawk
Philippines: Philippine Hawk-eagle, [Cebu Flowerpecker?!]
South America: Green Manakin
Cuba: Zapata Rail

The usual requirement is a commoner species that is relatively similar. All good padders for those tour groups!

cheers, alan

 

[dnsallen]

Philippines: I don't think the hawk-eagle is that rare, but I have no idea how often it is strung.
Small/juv Large-billed Crow strung as SierraMadre/Mindanao Crow a lot.
Des

 

[darth bangkok]

What do you mean by strung? Guides mis-identifying intentionally?

 

[jurek]

In Poland, Greater Spotted Eagle, perhaps.

 

[lewis20126]

Philippines: I don't think the hawk-eagle is that rare, but I have no idea how often it is strung.

Des, I've only spent about 4 months birding in the Phil's but have seen plenty of Honey Buzzards (both sp) and only poor views of one probable Hawk-eagle. I really would like to see them! I agree that they are there, but see very few photos of them (always a sign..) and having spoken to a few good birders with more experience than me, think this view is correct.

cheers, alan

 

[lewis20126]

Another one for South America: Blue-fronted Lancebill

How many photos do you see of that one, compared to its relative frequncy in trip reports (usually females).....

a

 

[temmie]

I agree on the Sabrewing, it seems like people want to see that one in the wrong place (i.e. Minca, where it occurs about once in 2 months).
From personal experience (photos taken), I can tell you that the Manakin and Hawk-eagle are doable/possible.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Only Green Manakin on my list - what are you suggesting it might have been? (Mind you, I have severe doubts about my Olive-tree warbler from 1978!)

 

[lewis20126]

I agree on the Sabrewing, it seems like people want to see that one in the wrong place (i.e. Minca, where it occurs about once in 2 months)..

Temmie, good to meet you in the North! We met a researcher who has been mist-netting around Minca for THREE YEARS (mainly targetting NA passerines) and who catches loads of hummers. Guess what - he's never seen the Sabrewing. Plenty of WV PLumeteers though...

cheers, a

 

[Birdingcraft]

In Costa Rica, Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Black-tailed Flycatcher, and Nicaraguan Grackle get strung on a regular basis.

 

[lewis20126]

Only Green Manakin on my list - what are you suggesting it might have been? (Mind you, I have severe doubts about my Olive-tree warbler from 1978!)

I'm not accusing anyone of stringing any particular record! A briefly seen female Pipra might do some people though..

cheers, alan

 

[lewis20126]

In Costa Rica, Long-tailed Woodcreeper, .

Good call! A very low density species which I've still never seen in South America (or its congener, Spot-throated)

cheers, alan

 

[AveryBartels]

This'll probably shoot any legitemacy I might have had in your eyes Alan but Ive seen Long-tailed AND Spot-throated Woodcreepers!
Long-tailed at Carara NP in Costa Rica and Spot-throated at Sani Lodge in Ecuador...initial ID by the local guide we had with us, we had time to inspect it pretty well and it looked good to me.
Agreed on the Sabrewing and Green Manakin.

 

[Larry Sweetland]

For Aus, I strongly suspect not all Grey Falcon, Grey Honeyeater or Black-eared Miner records are the real deal.

 

[dnsallen]

Alan: I am asked to identify quite a few Philippine raptors from photos, and though I can't quote how many, perched-up, feathered-tarsi juv Luzon Phil Hawk eagles have not been that scarce. Many more than Philippine Barred HB - of which there seem to be very few photos. Pinsker's is a different matter.
Des
.

 

[lewis20126]

This'll probably shoot any legitemacy I might have had in your eyes Alan but Ive seen Long-tailed AND Spot-throated Woodcreepers!
Long-tailed at Carara NP in Costa Rica and Spot-throated at Sani Lodge in Ecuador...initial ID by the local guide we had with us, we had time to inspect it pretty well and it looked good to me.
Agreed on the Sabrewing and Green Manakin.

Avery - good spots for both, I'm hopeful of both of them one day! How did you "survive" your recent trip?! I notice Trevor bagged the Bushbird for the group at least. Met Brian and Fay in the pub last week, comparing notes - he says he never got stressed - I said likewise...B

cheers, a

 

[Dimitris]

For Aus, I strongly suspect not all Grey Falcon, Grey Honeyeater or Black-eared Miner records are the real deal.

Pure Black-eared Miner, if it ever was a species, is pretty much extinct now days...

 

[AveryBartels]

I notice Trevor bagged the Bushbird for the group at least.

Trevor was there with another group shortly after us. We got the Bushbird as well, though not as good looks as he apparently did!

Met Brian and Fay in the pub last week, comparing notes - he says he never got stressed - I said likewise...B

Haha...right.

PS jealous of your profile pic!

 

[lewis20126]

PS jealous of your profile pic!

Get yourself there quick - I'm sure he's still around!

cheers, a

 

[Motmot]

In Costa Rica, Long-tailed Woodcreeper, Black-tailed Flycatcher, and Nicaraguan Grackle get strung on a regular basis.

Agree. I guess Grey-headed Piprites, Speckled Mourner and Keel-billed Motmot also get strung on ocassion in CRica.