I need help with this Rail (1 Viewer)

Chato

Well-known member

• Jul 14, 2009

• #1

These shots were taken Yesterday in Brooklyn New York. I know, and have photographed Clapper Rails in this marsh, but this guy just doesn't look like the other Clappers I've shot.

Lousy pictures, close crops from over a hundred yards off. Odd light as well, near dawn.

In the last picture I paid a Black Crowned Night Heron to pose with him to give you an idea of the size...:-O

Much thanks in advance!

 

Attachments

• 
  RAILSCAPE3.JPG

  119.3 KB · Views: 152
• 
  RAILSCAPE4.JPG

  132.3 KB · Views: 177
• 
  RAILSCAPE6.JPG

  125.5 KB · Views: 208

H

Howard King

Well-known member

• Jul 14, 2009

• #2

Love your comment for the last image - nice shot sadly can only guess on the rail ID

 

AmpelisChinito

Cedar Waxwing Chairman

• Jul 14, 2009

• #3

I'd say Clapper.

 

nickderry

C'est pas ma faute, je suis anglais.

• Jul 14, 2009

• #4

thought I'd get the book out just to educate myself a little and the book gives me nothing really - it's either a clapper or a king. Thank you book but I think we'd already got that far!

 

Chato

Well-known member

• Jul 15, 2009

• #5

As I said, not very good pictures...

I've never seen a King Rail in this marsh, but I "think" I've seen a King/Clapper cross.
Rails are never easy to find, but each year I manage at least a few opportunities. If anyone likes I can post a good picture of a Clapper from this place.

Dave

 

Andy Hall

Notts Birder

• Jul 15, 2009

• #6

I think the bill length favours King?

 

M

MichavdB

Well-known member

• Jul 15, 2009

• #7

Leaning towards King as well.

How much did it set you back to include the Night Heron? ;-)

 

Chato

Well-known member

• Jul 15, 2009

• #8

MichavdB said:

Leaning towards King as well.

How much did it set you back to include the Night Heron? ;-)

Click to expand...

Night Herons are the most avaricious of my paid models. When I first started shooting this marsh, a can of sardines would do, now, it's Fifty bucks and hour, plus a pound of Nova Scotia Lox. It's increasingly difficult for me to meet his demands.

In this marsh, what they normally eat is marine worms. You would think they would work a lot cheaper because of that.

Dave

 

J

JB513

New member

• Jul 15, 2009

• #9

Chato said:

Night Herons are the most avaricious of my paid models. When I first started shooting this marsh, a can of sardines would do, now, it's Fifty bucks and hour, plus a pound of Nova Scotia Lox. It's increasingly difficult for me to meet his demands.

In this marsh, what they normally eat is marine worms. You would think they would work a lot cheaper because of that.

Dave

Click to expand...

You sir have an excellent sense of humor. =)



Late addition: After having a bit of time to study the photos, and doing a bit of research.... i still have mixed feelings on this bird. For reasons stated above, I want to lean towards King, but the location says Clapper... I'm still honestly a bit stumped, as ebird has no records of King Rails in Brooklyn or Kings county, as far as I could see.

 

Last edited: Jul 16, 2009

Chato

Well-known member

• Jul 16, 2009

• #10

JB513 said:

You sir have an excellent sense of humor. =)



Late addition: After having a bit of time to study the photos, and doing a bit of research.... i still have mixed feelings on this bird. For reasons stated above, I want to lean towards King, but the location says Clapper... I'm still honestly a bit stumped, as ebird has no records of King Rails in Brooklyn or Kings county, as far as I could see.

Click to expand...

My books tell me that the King prefers Fresh Water.

But what the heck, I live in Manhattan, and in a small park last spring, I found a Virginia Rail, hanging around with the pigions. He actually "looked" confused. :eek!: Last I saw of him he was walking down the Bowery...

This marsh has just about everything living in it...

Also, the way he is carrying his wing, may indicate that this bird is injured, and the wing is covering up the markings.

Oh, well, perhaps I'll have better luck next time and be closer. This was shot from over a hundred yards away.

Dave

 

birderbf

Wild, Wild West ................... ern Spindalis

• Jul 19, 2009

• #11

Classic Clapper. Very common in those marshes. All other similar species are quite rare.