Sexing Ring Ouzels... (1 Viewer)

[buzzard12]

Had this bird this morninig in Stockholm, had been reported present for two days previously in the same place, consistently as an adult male bird.
On seeing the bird this morning a couple of features led me to wonder if the bird could not be either a sub adult male or a mature female. Expected a brighter yellowish beak, though the bird may have a dirty bill due to feeding. Even still no suggestion of a thin yellow eyering and brownish tones on this bird, particularily on the crown...

Opinions welcome....

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

Had this bird this morninig in Stockholm, had been reported present for two days previously in the same place, consistently as an adult male bird.
On seeing the bird this morning a couple of features led me to wonder if the bird could not be either a sub adult male or a mature female. Expected a brighter yellowish beak, though the bird may have a dirty bill due to feeding. Even still no suggestion of a thin yellow eyering and brownish tones on this bird, particularily on the crown...

Opinions welcome....

Looks v black and the bib v white for anything other than a male though. As you say the bill might be a bit dirty but their bills are not that bright anyway. I don't know about the eye but Collins shows the eye ring as v faint anyway - could just be the angle of the shot?

 

[Jane Turner]

That bird is a male and the contrast in the greater coverts suggests 1st summer. We've had one locally that was either a dull male or a very bright female, rather duller than this bird. It settled the debate (it was too flightly to let us age it) by bursting into song.

 

[Macswede]

Had this bird this morninig in Stockholm, had been reported present for two days previously in the same place, consistently as an adult male bird.
On seeing the bird this morning a couple of features led me to wonder if the bird could not be either a sub adult male or a mature female. Expected a brighter yellowish beak, though the bird may have a dirty bill due to feeding. Even still no suggestion of a thin yellow eyering and brownish tones on this bird, particularily on the crown...

Opinions welcome....

Was the bird hard to find, Alan? Just back from a conference and saw your report in Svalan. Thought we'd have a look for it tomorrow.
Graham

 

[JANJ]

As Jane I think that this is a 2cy male (beware - some females are very similar!) due to moult contrast in greater coverts. The white breast band in this one signals male.
Usually females are not this white looking and not with such a black head and nape.

These ones from Denmark was labeled female and male, female to the left.
But the comments suggest two males but with different ages. Left bird has moult contrast in greater coverts and brownish primaries, so 2cy:

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=16243

and another view of the adult male:

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=16188

and the 2cy male:

http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures.php?id=showpicture&picture_id=16187

JanJ

 

[Dave Hall]

Hi All this looks to me like a male

 

[buzzard12]

Was the bird hard to find, Alan? Just back from a conference and saw your report in Svalan. Thought we'd have a look for it tomorrow.
Graham

Not all Graham. Dont think it will move overnight due to bad weather. You will find the bird around a large bank of earth north of the allotments. Not too far from the entrance from the tram. Stay to the left and you will see the raised bank paralell to the road bordering the site. 2/3 of the way along the bank there is a lot of chopped branches and dead leaves piled up and this is the area to concentrate as it returns here constantly and often feeds on the grass track there...

 

[buzzard12]

thanks for the help all, particularily Jan, links are very imformative....

 

[Macswede]

Not all Graham. Dont think it will move overnight due to bad weather. You will find the bird around a large bank of earth north of the allotments. Not too far from the entrance from the tram. Stay to the left and you will see the raised bank paralell to the road bordering the site. 2/3 of the way along the bank there is a lot of chopped branches and dead leaves piled up and this is the area to concentrate as it returns here constantly and often feeds on the grass track there...

Thanks, Allan, I'll do my best to get some pictures.
Graham

 

[Macswede]

Finally managed to see the bird just when I was about to give up. It was on the grass beside the path as I approached the heap of branches and leaves for what I had decided would be the last time. Didn't get any decent shots but I got a good look at it as it circled round before disappearing into the pile of branches.
Nice life bird for me - one I've wanted to see for a long time.
In addition to the Ringed Ouzel I saw 2 hares boxing and a hare that was running away from me scared up a smallish dark wader with a conspicuous white rump that looked very much like a Green Sandpiper.
Graham

 

[Xenospiza]

The females are lagging behind: only saw female birds today in the Netherlands, some of them almost lacking a collar!
This one was quite tame, but still not too cooperative...

 

[buzzard12]

Finally managed to see the bird just when I was about to give up. It was on the grass beside the path as I approached the heap of branches and leaves for what I had decided would be the last time. Didn't get any decent shots but I got a good look at it as it circled round before disappearing into the pile of branches.
Nice life bird for me - one I've wanted to see for a long time.
In addition to the Ringed Ouzel I saw 2 hares boxing and a hare that was running away from me scared up a smallish dark wader with a conspicuous white rump that looked very much like a Green Sandpiper.
Graham

Glad it showed for you Graham. Didnt see it reported yesterday and feared it had left the area.
Green Sand has been seen there over the last week by the way...

 

[Macswede]

Glad it showed for you Graham. Didnt see it reported yesterday and feared it had left the area.
Green Sand has been seen there over the last week by the way...

I was very pleased to see it though it took a while before it showed. Should really have reported it but we had a guest staying and I was just too lazy I'm afraid.
Graham