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Harrier from Germany, Odenwald, 04.05.2020. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter gallinago3
- Start date
rosbifs
PutAin STOP
I agree
That said when I visited the migration watchpoint at Gruissan the rule of thumb they used for Months Pallid split was dark secondaries light primaries on the trailing edge = rule of thumb dark then light. I am not disputing this id in any way just highlighting the difficulty with this species. Imagine on a migration watchpoint with two birds that I would struggle to split without photos. It was just interesting. I should add that I failed to identify my first Pallid Harrier and only did so when someone else photographed it a month later!
Fortunately we have Tom and other experts like him for these birds...
That said when I visited the migration watchpoint at Gruissan the rule of thumb they used for Months Pallid split was dark secondaries light primaries on the trailing edge = rule of thumb dark then light. I am not disputing this id in any way just highlighting the difficulty with this species. Imagine on a migration watchpoint with two birds that I would struggle to split without photos. It was just interesting. I should add that I failed to identify my first Pallid Harrier and only did so when someone else photographed it a month later!
Fortunately we have Tom and other experts like him for these birds...
This rule of thumb is absolutely perfect for adult birds, Pallid will keep a very well visible two toned wing: dark secondaries and light primaries. Unfortunately juv Montys have even darker secondaries and they return from Africa with more or less moulted body (looking like adults) and juvenile flight feathers, hence the pitfall in spring
gallinago3
Member
That's great!
Thank you very much, Tom and Charles!
Thank you very much, Tom and Charles!
wolfbirder
Well-known member
I am no expert but the long slim profile is suggestive of Monty, and dark edging to underwing primaries / fingers seen in final photo would rule out Pallid wouldn't it?
Correct, especially the dark tips of inner primaries are a very good feature, whereas some Montys show barred tips of fingers, also some bleached second calendar year Montys (juvenile feathers under equatorial sun) show very faded tips to inner primaries
wolfbirder
Well-known member
Appreciated Tom, thank you:t:
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