Pin-tailed or Swinhoe's Snipe? (with tail pictures) Singapore (1 Viewer)

[orientaldkf]

Hi all took this bird in Singapore. The consensus I got was that this is a Pin-tailed Snipe, don't have any strong objections to the ID myself but would like to hear from others as well on the features that can be picked out from these photos. I can see about 3(?) pin-shaped feathers on the outermost rectrices of the bird, which seems too little for Pin-tailed. Perhaps the feathers are blocked or photo quality is too poor?

Would appreciate any help in IDing this bird thanks!

 

[Paul Leader]

With that tail structure (3-4 narrow outer tail feathers which are clearly of differing widths) this is a Swinhoe's Snipe. Pintail has 6-7 very narrow (c 1 mm in width) tail feathers which are all of a similar width.

 

[andyb39]

Very well done, Orientaldkf. Are there any (previous) confirmed records for Singapore?

 

[orientaldkf]

Thanks for the help all!

@Andyb39, from a quick check of the recent confirmed records in Singapore, I'm aware of sightings in 2005 (separate sightings in two locations) and another one in 2018.

 

[orientaldkf]

Have also gotten feedback that the tail of this bird could be in moult...would the bird still be IDable in that case?

 

[RafaelMatias]

Here's an important reference:
Identification of Pintail Snipe and Swinhoe’s Snipe PDF here
The first author of the paper is Paul Leader (eg post#2), so you're in good hands

 

[orientaldkf]

Here's an important reference:
Identification of Pintail Snipe and Swinhoe’s Snipe PDF here
The first author of the paper is Paul Leader (eg post#2), so you're in good hands

Whoops a little embarrassed here I didn't notice that since I've read the paper too...thanks Paul and Rafael! :t: