Swallow in Leyte, Philippines (1 Viewer)

Valéry Schollaert said:

Hi guys, I've identified myself that bird but hope to be confirmed or proved wrong. I posted on a Philippine group on FB but it seems the plumage is not easy even for them.

Thanks! :t:

Photos taken yesterday near Ormoc, above rice fields where Barn and Striated Swallow are common.

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andyadcock said:

Seems to be a Martin rather than a Swallow to me


A

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SteveMM said:

Is there a martin species with a reddish on forehead and throat?

Steve

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andyadcock said:

I suspect your question is rhetorical, on my pc's large screen, the forehead is light grey, I see no red anywhere on this bird


A

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SteveMM said:

I do have traces of red on mine, no solids though, so they may of course be artefacts. However, they do happen to be in the correct distribution for Pacific Swallow!

As this bird lacks blue-black below the bill, much in the way of blue-black below the eye or in the ear coverts, and has rather a strong bill, I don't see much to support an ID as Asian House Martin personally. It's also not a lagopodum, though they are moving through the region at the moment (attached is an awful photo of one taken just over a week ago).

Steve

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andyadcock said:

One difference I see between this pic and the OP is that the tail feathers on the OP seem to be blackish whilst on yours they are whiteish?


A

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SteveMM said:

Hi Andy,

You've kinda lost me now! Bird in OP is Pacific Swallow IMO.

Steve

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Grahame Walbridge said:

I have to agree with Steve, there are definitely visible rufous tones to the throat and upper breast and a paler forehead which equates to the rufous forehead. Further, the bill is too long for both ASM and EHM.

So, Pacific Swallow IMO too.

Grahame

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