Yellow-breasted Apalis, Kruger Park, South Africa (1 Viewer)

[MacBirdie]

Below a bird I saw in the Kruger Park, South Africa, in October 2018 near Skukuza rest camp. Looked like a Yellow-breasted Apalis but even then I had some doubts: dark eye and more elongated stature. It does seem to have a bit of white in front of the eye and a black mask, could it be Rudd's Apalis? Photo was very dark and processed. Which one is it? Thanks!

 

[njlarsen]

According to my book, Rudd's Apalis is not showing the pale outer edges to the tail feathers your bird is showing. I suspect that if you lighten up the images that there might be a hint of red in the eye.

Niels

 

[njlarsen]

Compare https://ebird.org/species/yebapa1/ -- click on the main image above and when loaded click the arrow to the right until you see the fourth image.

Niels

 

[MacBirdie]

According to my book, Rudd's Apalis is not showing the pale outer edges to the tail feathers your bird is showing. I suspect that if you lighten up the images that there might be a hint of red in the eye.

Niels

Thank you. In my Sasol they seem to have a narrow pale edge but no white. I did try lighten up a lot more but still no red eye. And I had seen a few Yell. br. A. by then and I remember thinking this was another bird. And the black mask does make me doubt even more. I looked at the photos in the link, but they still look different to me. Thanks for the help.

 

[njlarsen]

In ebird, you can switch species. I think those images exclude Rudd’s unless there is a lot of local variations

Niels

 

[MacBirdie]

In ebird, you can switch species. I think those images exclude Rudd’s unless there is a lot of local variations

Niels

Thank you. Rudd's does look very different except for photo 4 on eBird. You are probably right with Yell.br. It's just that the bird really made me think it was something else. Thanks!

 

[Larry Sweetland]

The dark mask effect could possibly be due to shadow, so I wouldn't rely on that as a feature here.

 

[MacBirdie]

The dark mask effect could possibly be due to shadow, so I wouldn't rely on that as a feature here.

Yes that's right. That would take away that doubt. And the head really was in the shade which would explain the dark eye as well. Well, that's decided then. Thanks for the help!!