moorhen in bahrein (1 Viewer)

[lou salomon]

any thoughts about this pale moorhen on howard's bahrain report site? obviously it is not a juvenile (see bill colour). could a 2cy be this pale?

http://www.hawar-islands.com/blog/media/blogs/obs/2009/3july09/moorhen.jpg

 

[Howard King]

looked odd when I photographed it but decided it was what it was a pale Moorhen - same picture different zoom - no others taken as our moorhen are not cooperative when it comes to a close approach the slightest movement they do a runner as was the case here.

 

[Gentoo]

I believe the immatures look like this. But if you think it's not one then I don't know.

 

[lou salomon]

what do you mean by immature? 2cy birds at this time should be in adult plumage i guess. it looks like a juv/1st winter but with an adult bill!
thank you howard for posting the larger pic.

 

[rockfowl]

Maybe some partial leucism Lou.

 

[petemorris]

It probably fledged months ago down there

 

[lou salomon]

Maybe some partial leucism Lou.

that is my closest idea.

hard to believe it attained adult coloured bill even if 5 months old - our moorhens also keep their brown bills into the winter.

 

[njlarsen]

I think I read somewhere that birds that are malnourished can develop at a delayed rate, and that the different parts of the bird does not have to be in sync when that happens. There was an example lately of a hawk from South America that people say should be adult after about three years that use about six when kept as a falconers bird.

I do not say that this bird has been in captivity (but do not exclude that possibility either), but I think that if is was growing up in less than ideal conditions, we could se what we are seeing on this one.

Cheers
Niels

 

[Howard King]

thanks Lou for the interest - Moorhen here do have a very extended breeding period and start probably as early as February - have seen Juveniles in every month from March through to August. Have to admit they are not a species I have followed only to note that they are always around any water however temporary that might be and seem to be born survivors. As to food supply don't think that this is a problem at this particular location called Buhair which also does support a large variety of other breeding species although not in huge numbers.

PS
Incidentally should anyone find any errors in identification on our humble pages please let me know we are only too happy to have our mistakes corrected.
http://www.hawar-islands.com/blog/home_stub.php

 

[CAU]

Here you can read about how to age Moorhens:
http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/152_MoorhenGchloropus.pdf

2cy birds might apparently still have some juvenile feathers at least on the upperparts and chin. The primaries of the subject bird look also rather brown, which perhaps points towards an immature bird (unless they are affected by some colour deficiency).

 

[chris butterworth]

The bill and shield are far too advanced for anything other than an adult. Perhaps partial leucism, perhaps very bleached ?
Chris

 

[Tib78]

A leucistic Moorhen to compare: http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdworld/3041255332/in/set-72157600870959767/

 

[CAU]

The bill and shield are far too advanced for anything other than an adult.

The very first image in my previous link shows a non-adult (first summer) bird with an adult-like bill. Based on my experience first summer birds have an adult-like bill, as it becomes adult-like during the first winter (or perhaps 'first summer' in Bahrain, if they hatch in winter?). Note how the bill of the October bird shown in the link already has started to become adult-like. To me it sounds plausible that the subject bird could just be a bird that has hatched early this year and that has a slightly delayed postjuvenile moult (at least it sounds as plausible as a leucistic bird).

 

[Howard King]

That does indeed make a lot of sense Cau - we do get a few anomalies in these parts as certain local breeding species breed out of sinc with there northern neighbours. Ospreys and Caspian Terns for instance breed October to March

 

[lou salomon]

thanks CAU, thanks tib,

of course 1st summers (2cy) do have an adult like bill. but usually they look almost like adults plumagewise as well (except for the tiny bits under chin etc.), my point was that this one has a very juvenile like head/neck plumage with an adult bill which i haven't seen yet - it obviously looks strange. further i thought if it lasts about 7-8 months to change bill colour into adult red and yellow this can't be a 1cy (even if hatched in february). but i might have been focussed too much on a (central) european view and hormones in these southern breeders may produce a faster "adolescence" creating such weird birds.

thanks also to howard for the larger pic. i was slightly amuzed about your shy moorhens since i know how shy they can be (from eastern europe!) while here in the 'golden west' they take food out of our hands in the parks (only the urban ones of course).

 

[Howard King]

Your interest Lou has sparked some curiosity on my part I shall now instead of just noting a Moorhen I shall start looking a bit closer. Currently trying to get to grips with our returning Greater Sand Plovers - tremendous variety in appearance - few consistent with any guide I have -

 

[Tib78]

Your interest Lou has sparked some curiosity on my part I shall now instead of just noting a Moorhen I shall start looking a bit closer.

Same goes for me! I had never thought of ageing Moorhens before. Interesting thread!