Colombia (2) (1 Viewer)

Billy Dog · Feb 21, 2019

Two more mysteries from me, for which I'd be grateful for help. The first two pictures were taken in Mompox, Colombia, last week, but I don't know whether these are Band-backed or Stripe-backed Wrens.

The third and fourth pictures, which are very poor quality I'm afraid, are of parrots in the very centre of urban Medellin.

And one final question, if I may, which perhaps I should address to another forum. I saw, and photographed, a Green-winged Teal in Sanguare (on the Caribbean coast of Colombia) which, if the recent McMullan Field Guide to the birds of Colombia is to be believed, is very unusual (he says that there have been only three records in Colombia to 2018). If this is the case, I should report it to someone in Colombia, but I have no idea who! Can anyone help please?

Andy Adcock · Feb 21, 2019

First is a Wren, Band-backed?

Edit: Sorry, I never read the text in a post until I've tried my hand at the ID, it corrupts my process!

Spotted rather than banded flanks plus warm colour to the underparts, I'd say Band-backed.

Seth Miller · Feb 22, 2019

And one final question, if I may, which perhaps I should address to another forum. I saw, and photographed, a Green-winged Teal in Sanguare (on the Caribbean coast of Colombia) which, if the recent McMullan Field Guide to the birds of Colombia is to be believed, is very unusual (he says that there have been only three records in Colombia to 2018). If this is the case, I should report it to someone in Colombia, but I have no idea who! Can anyone help please?

You can submit a checklist to eBird, then if its rare the regional reviewer will see it and approve it.

arcadillor · Feb 22, 2019

1-2.stripe backed wren
3.orange chinned parakeet
4.brown throated parakeet

Billy Dog · Feb 22, 2019

Many thanks to you both for your help.

THE_FERN · Feb 22, 2019

arcadillor said:
1-2.stripe backed wren

I agree although I think this particular pair of photos is difficult. Apparent orangy eye should point to band-backed (pale for stripe-backed), and there's an indication of more rufous on the flanks which is also good for that species. I think both may be artefacts, though.

The lack of spotting on the throat and upper breast can only be stripe-backed, I think: looking at the photos in the Macauley library, heavy spotting and streaking seemed the one constant for band-backed.

Andy Adcock · Feb 22, 2019

THE_FERN said:
I agree although I think this particular pair of photos is difficult. Apparent orangy eye should point to band-backed (pale for stripe-backed), and there's an indication of more rufous on the flanks which is also good for that species. I think both may be artefacts, though.

The lack of spotting on the throat and upper breast can only be stripe-backed, I think: looking at the photos in the Macauley library, heavy spotting and streaking seemed the one constant for band-backed.

What about the absence of flank barring?

Billy Dog · Feb 22, 2019

Many thanks. Here are three more (cropped) photos of the same bird. Do these help or confuse even more?!

I have no previous experience of these species and was using the new (third edition) McMullan Field Guide. There were other similar birds in a square, elsewhere in Mompox, which I didn't manage to photograph but which I initially thought might be Stripe-backed. But that may not help at all!

THE_FERN · Feb 22, 2019

Billy Dog said:
Many thanks. Here are three more (cropped) photos of the same bird. Do these help or confuse even more?!

I have no previous experience of these species and was using the new (third edition) McMullan Field Guide. There were other similar birds in a square, elsewhere in Mompox, which I didn't manage to photograph but which I initially thought might be Stripe-backed. But that may not help at all!

I think this confirms it: here the pale eye is much more apparent. Second photo gives a hint of the longitudinal striping on the back too.

(The web suggests that these 2 species are usually much more distinct. However, from the "right" angle and in some plumages they can be very similar. The pics in the Proaves guide are no help in distinguishing the 2 species although if you squint you can just about make out the difference in eye colour. Birds of Northern South America notes eye colour explicitly.)

Andy Adcock · Feb 23, 2019

THE_FERN said:
I think this confirms it: here the pale eye is much more apparent. Second photo gives a hint of the longitudinal striping on the back too.

(The web suggests that these 2 species are usually much more distinct. However, from the "right" angle and in some plumages they can be very similar. The pics in the Proaves guide are no help in distinguishing the 2 species although if you squint you can just about make out the difference in eye colour. Birds of Northern South America notes eye colour explicitly.)

Some confusing shots on Google showing extensively barred flanks?

http://jboyd.net/Venezuela04/20D-1501.jpg

Habitat is said to be a clue in Colombia with Stripe-backed preferring drier habitat.

Billy Dog · Feb 24, 2019

Many thanks for all this help - much appreciated, and an interesting challenge!

Colombia (2) (1 Viewer)

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