Even a seasoned
birdwatcher can fail to identify
correctly some species or other.
There are also times when a good
photograph is also not enough
particularly when taken in an
unfamiliar area. There are also
variations in plumage caused by
differences in race and even mutations
that can confuse the expert.
This gallery shows
some of those species photographed
by Tony Tilford and still unidentified.
I make no excuse for my ignorance
but would be pleased for any suggestions
as to what the birds may be. Please
e-mail
me.
Biak Discoveries?
When Tony Tilford visited to
Biak Island in October 2004 and
April 2005, he provided yet more
evidence that there is still much
to discover in the natural world.
What may be two new previously
unrecognised bird species were
located in the rainforest close
to the village of Sepse in the
east of the island. Only time
will tell if this is the case
but it calls for a lot more research
on this very interesting isolated
island in Papua, Indonesia.
The mystery fantail that looks
remarkably like a Pied Fantail
(Rhipidura javanica) may be an
aberrant plumage of one of the
other species known to be present
in the region, either the Friendly
Fantail (Rhipidura albolimbata)
or Northern Fantail (Rhipidura
rufiventris).
What first appears to be a Golden
Monarch (Monarcha chrysomela)
may indeed be another species
altogether. It certainly lacks
the black chin and bib but otherwise
is very similar. This small bird
resides high in the tree canopy
and is not easy to identify and
could therefore have been previously
overlooked. There are suggestions
that it could be Monarcha [chrysomela]
kordensis, a taxon that definitely
merits treatment at allospecies
level.
If anyone has any suggestions
as to what either may be, please
get in contact.
Unidentified
Fantail photographed
in Biak Island October
2004
Unidentified
Flycatcher photographed
in Biak Island April
2005
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