Post by Ramon Quisumbing on Dec 24, 2012 2:22:11 GMT
Hi Ramon,
I am wondering about the second image of the Harpactes. The third image (apparently female) does not seem the same bird, and I am wondering about some of the features demonstrated by the second bird. There is a persistence of a horn color on the anterosuperior aspect of the upper mandible which could indicate immaturity (not a juvenile however). I am also wondering about the difference of the color of the crissum (vent + undertail covert area) which appears to have an orange wash (this could be a lighting artefact). Could it be an immature male bird?
Now that I have looked through the Forshaw (Trogon monograph), I also am starting to have some doubts about the sex of the third bird. The problem is the apparent blackish coloration of the head. Prout Forshaw, the adult male H. ardens linae has the most diffusely blackish head coloration of all the races, and the adult female linae is supposed to have the head coloration of the adult female ardens ardens, that is, dark olive-brown. None of these photos would seem to have birds with dark olive-brown heads. So, I just have questions.
Would appreciate Des's input on this. I spent a lot of money on what proved to be a rather huge coffee table monograph on Trogons, and I hope that the information in it is worth something!
By the way, the Spiderhunter is now considered a Philippine endemic. Orange-tufted Spiderhunter, Arachnothera f flammifera..
Steve, thanks for your comments.
Yes, I believe the 2nd and 3rd photos of the Trogon are different individuals, taken hours apart. I did see 2 female Trogons sitting together on one branch.
I corrected my posting on the Spiderhunter.