birddaystuggi
Member
Hello!
Hoping there's some hardcore Fiji experts out there. After a day of birding in the Taveuni highlands near Lake Tagimoucia, I have some shots of Silktails. Based on what I know from the guides and eBird, this should be a slam dunk for Taveuni Silktail as it's the only reported Silktail on Taveuni and the other Silktail (Natewa Silktail) is across the strait on Vanua Levu. Because of this clear geographic distinction, there's very little information on the differences between these two silktail species. Upon seeing my photos, including a slight hook to the tip of the bill, my local guide is convinced that my bird could be Natewa Silktail, as he believes that both species might live in Taveuni based on his 20+ years of experience.
Anybody out there either A) know of some diagnostic feature separating the two? (I can't find anything online about bill shape) or B) have an opinion about the range of Natewa Silktail?
Thanks so much!
Cheers,
Andrew
Hoping there's some hardcore Fiji experts out there. After a day of birding in the Taveuni highlands near Lake Tagimoucia, I have some shots of Silktails. Based on what I know from the guides and eBird, this should be a slam dunk for Taveuni Silktail as it's the only reported Silktail on Taveuni and the other Silktail (Natewa Silktail) is across the strait on Vanua Levu. Because of this clear geographic distinction, there's very little information on the differences between these two silktail species. Upon seeing my photos, including a slight hook to the tip of the bill, my local guide is convinced that my bird could be Natewa Silktail, as he believes that both species might live in Taveuni based on his 20+ years of experience.
Anybody out there either A) know of some diagnostic feature separating the two? (I can't find anything online about bill shape) or B) have an opinion about the range of Natewa Silktail?
Thanks so much!
Cheers,
Andrew