Russet/Ruddy-capped Nightingale Thrush Mexico (1 Viewer)

[Arbu]

These two birds are almost indistinguishable aren't they? I'm using the Merlin app which says "On Russet, note pale pinkish underside of bill with dark tip and faintly mottled or streaked pattern to breast." Well, the third picture of Russet on Merlin shows a bird with a uniformly grey breast, like a Ruddy-capped, with no mottling or streaking. So that leaves the underside of the bill to distinguish them by. The first picture of Russet on Merlin shows a bird with a paler breast, but a yellow, not pinkish, underside of the bill, like the pictures of Ruddy-capped. So the bill colour doesn't work either. The songs sound the same. So maybe the distinguishing feature is a paler breast on the Russet, and the third picture of Russet on Merlin is actually of a Ruddy-capped?

Anyway, here's my picture of one at Malinche a couple of weeks ago. From the dark grey breast I'd guess it's a Ruddy-capped. Anyone think it's possible to tell?

 

[Andy Adcock]

Doesn't look like a Nigthingale Thrush of any kind to me with that bill unless I'm seeing it wrong?

 

[Arbu]

Doesn't look like a Nigthingale Thrush of any kind to me with that bill unless I'm seeing it wrong?

What would it be, then?

 

[Andy Adcock]

What would it be, then?

No idea but here's one of my Ruddy-capped from Costa Rica.

Surfbirds Share Photo

www.surfbirds.com

Edit: Maybe an Ant Tanager?

 

[Arbu]

No idea but here's one of my Ruddy-capped from Costa Rica.

Surfbirds Share Photo

www.surfbirds.com

Edit: Maybe an Ant Tanager?

What you are seeing as part of its bill is not, it's just the background. Here's another photo.

 

[njlarsen]

These photos look like they are underexposed. Have your tried lightening them up? If so, could you post the result of that as well?

Secondly, where is Malinche? a google search does not bring up a location. Include state within Mexico when using place names, please.

Niels

 

[Arbu]

These photos look like they are underexposed. Have your tried lightening them up? If so, could you post the result of that as well?

Secondly, where is Malinche? a google search does not bring up a location. Include state within Mexico when using place names, please.

Niels

Sorry, it's in the south of Tlaxcala state, was at about 3200m altitude.

 

[njlarsen]

I am not able to distinguish for sure on the images. A couple of pointers:
Orange billed: both lower and upper mandible orangey
Ruddy-C: lower mandible same color to tip - prefers drier and denser understory
Russet: lower mandible with dusky tip. - prefers more open understory and is therefore easier to see.

Info from Howell and Webb (hint, hint ... )
Niels

 

[njlarsen]

Ebird has observations from the area of both species with Russet being reported less rarely. RcNT last reported 2001.

Sign in

ebird.org

Sign in

ebird.org

Niels

 

[Arbu]

Ebird has observations from the area of both species with Russet being reported less rarely. RcNT last reported 2001.

Sign in

ebird.org

Sign in

ebird.org

Niels

Thanks. It looks like Bob Packard used to see Ruddy Capped there regularly 20 years ago, but since he was last there everyone has seen Russet.

 

[Butty]

People often see what they expect to see.

 

[Andy Adcock]

What you are seeing as part of its bill is not, it's just the background. Here's another photo.View attachment 1424935

Totally different image to the orignal and this looks much more like a N-T but, no way is it specificially ID'able IMHO.