ID please, Gower, Wales (1 Viewer)

G

gowerboy

Well-known member

• May 28, 2009

• #1

Saw this bird on a steep cliff the other evening. I first thought juv cormorant then noticed the feet and bill when I looked on the PC. Poor pic due to high winds and leaning over the cliff edge

 

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Quercus

homo sarkensis

• May 28, 2009

• #2

THere's something mallardy about it!

 

joshjenkinsshaw

Kent Birder

• May 28, 2009

• #3

Shag I'd say, a rather skinny one too!

 

G

gowerboy

Well-known member

• May 28, 2009

• #4

It seemed a little big for a duck...... more corm size

 

G

gowerboy

Well-known member

• May 28, 2009

• #5

I though shags had dark feet?

 

KFC

Ken Tucker

• May 28, 2009

• #6

Looks initially like a superimposed tinamou or similar. Your not having us on, are you?

K

 

G

gowerboy

Well-known member

• May 28, 2009

• #7

Genuine pic, only posted on here as its been on my website and none of the local birders I know have any idea what it is.

Clive
www.flickr.com/photos/mosesdavies

 

KFC

Ken Tucker

• May 28, 2009

• #8

gowerboy said:

Genuine pic, only posted on here as its been on my website and none of the local birders I know have any idea what it is.

Clive
www.flickr.com/photos/mosesdavies

Click to expand...

Sorry to doubt you. In that case I have little idea. It does suggest whistling-duck sp (Dendrocygna) to me but I don't think any of those have yellow legs.

Ken
:h?:

 

G

gowerboy

Well-known member

• May 28, 2009

• #9

Thanks anyway Ken.

 

T

Tideliner

Well-known member

• May 28, 2009

• #10

have you got any more photos of it. The bill does not look very duck like. Its almost got a rail like apearance.

 

G

gowerboy

Well-known member

• May 28, 2009

• #11

Sorry Tideliner, this is the only shot worth posting. Pic was taken at around 200' in VERY strong wind whilst looking over a cliff edge.

 

C

Cortonbirds

Well-known member

• May 28, 2009

• #12

juvenile Shag

 

G

gowerboy

Well-known member

• May 28, 2009

• #13

Cortonbirds, what about the feet? I was told by a few people that juv shags have black legs and feet like corms, but the bird is the right size......

 

B

Brian Stretch

Well-known member

• May 28, 2009

• #14

gowerboy said:

Cortonbirds, what about the feet? I was told by a few people that juv shags have black legs and feet like corms, but the bird is the right size......

Click to expand...

I agree, it is an immature Shag. They do have pale feet, unlike Cormorants which have black feet. The structure of the bird in the above picture also suggests Shag.

Brian
__________________________________
www.birdingtoday.co.uk
www.worcesterbirding.co.uk
www.westmidlandsbirding.co.uk

 

G

gowerboy

Well-known member

• May 28, 2009

• #15

Thanks chaps, immature shag it is then (a first for me).

 

T

tjbirdofprey

Dorset birder in Spain

• May 28, 2009

• #16

looks weird to me.....but if lots of (better)birders have said it is a shag then im probably wrong:-O

 

KFC

Ken Tucker

• May 28, 2009

• #17

tjbirdofprey said:

looks weird to me.....but if lots of (better)birders have said it is a shag then im probably wrong:-O

Click to expand...

I agree that it really doesn't make you think shag (missus!) straight away. However, with so many others saying so I forced another look and agree. Just odd lighting and posture but it does appear to have a long tail and the feet do appear to be webbed 'on the inside' if you know what I mean. Well done to those who saw shag in this bird: It was certainly not my first thought.

Ken