Bird Identification Help Required Please

clairescavys · #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 06:03 AM

Hi everyone

I visited Pensthorpe Nature Reserve in May 2008 and took a photo of a bird on the bank of the lake, but I cannot find any details to help me identify thebird in my bird book or on the internet.

The photo is here: http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...m/DSCF0239.jpg

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help identify this bird!

Andy Warne · #2 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 06:09 AM

Hi,
Looks like a Ruddy Shelduck.

MagpieMick · #3 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 06:11 AM

Its a Ruddy Shelduck .... 99% sure

Mick..

kielder · #4 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 07:17 AM

It is! check this image out: AOL Search

clairescavys · #5 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 11:21 AM

Thanks everyone for your help. I'm not totally clued up on birds as yet, as I've only been a keen birdwatcher for half a year now. There may be some more 'unidentified birds' images later uploaded later (took a few photos at Pensthorpe of 'unidentified birds').

Thanks again.

clairescavys · #6 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 05:00 PM

Hi everyone

As mentioned earlier, here are some more photos of birds that I cannot identify.

If anyone can identify any of these, I would be grateful (although no prize will be won unfortunately)!

coasty · #7 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Warne

Hi,
Looks like a Ruddy Shelduck.

NO need to swear

outdoorguy · #8 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 10:46 PM

4 is a mandarin duck and 7 is a ruff.. the other ducks are all captive bread species.. i'm sure someone will know the id's... james

cherrybee · #9 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 10:51 PM

5.Pochard - Aythya ferina
6.Looks like a Wood Duck but I dont think its a pure one looks like a cross but I could be wrong

8.Looks like a female Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula

Ferret · #10 (**permalink**) 13-06-2008, 12:04 AM

Ok I’ll have a go, not all wild British birds I take it?

1. A Tern of some sort, that bill has me stumped at the moment.I would say Sandwich Sterna sandvicensis but it doesn’t look heavy enough build and the head pattern would be winter plumage and it seems a little early for that, although it could be a none breeder I suppose.
2. Female Tufted Duck. Athya fuligula
3. Drake Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus
4. Drake Mandarin. Aix galericulata
5. Drake Pochard, Athya farina Moorhen Gallinulla choloropus in the background.
6. Drake Harlequin Duck. Histrionicus histrionicus
7. Ruff. Tryngites subruficollis
8. Female Tufted Duck. Athya fuligula and a bit of Black Swan Cygnus atratus
9. Female Goldeneye. Bucephala clangula

Rob_D · #11 (**permalink**) 13-06-2008, 08:20 AM

Some are pretty tricky. Agree with previous for all but 1 and 2

1. Juv Common tern. Really not sure from that angle but anyway a Sandwich would have black legs?

2. Male Ferruginous Duck (Aythaya nyroca). Never seen one but it certainly looks rust coloured.

RobinP · #12 (**permalink**) 13-06-2008, 08:52 AM

I'd agree with that, juv Common Tern and 'fudge' duck, and also agree with Ferret on 3-9.

Ferret · #13 (**permalink**) 13-06-2008, 04:56 PM

While I agree with Rob_D & RobinP about the ID of No1, I was not happy with my ID of Sandwich Tern but at1 o’clock last night I could think of nothing else with a pale tip to the bill and I still can’t, also I don’t think that this year’s young would show some brown barring on the grey parts of the plumage and would they be that advanced anyway, a second summer bird would more of a black cap and there’s that pale tipped bill again?

As for No 2 I also at first thought Ferruginous Duck but I have seen these in Bulgaria and it just did not look right, then looking at the white on the tail of No2 and No 8 I came to the conclusion that they where the same bird, just photographed in different ligh, hence went for Tufted for both

What do you think?