Hi Folks, Last week I went up to Mt. Carbine on the Mt. Molloy to Cooktown Road to a small dam where a Snipe sp. was seen. Whilst it is thought by most local birders that the snipe passing through our region of far north Queensland areLatham’s, Swinhoe’s has also been identified here; whether this is fact or theory I’m not sure. Most literature I’ve read usually concludes they are only reliably separated in the hand so I’m intrigued that many observers are definite about their sightings in the field, it would appear that they are going on field guide distribution maps and not on field characteristics. I’ve positively identified all three species, which occur in Australia, in the hand but not in the field. If anyone can tell me which species it was at the dam I’ve posted an image onto our blog this week.
Cheers, Keith.
G’day Keith, thanks for putting this bird up for us to scrutinize.
Are there any more photos and is this image at 100%, is my standard question in these situations. I can at least age it straight off as a first year bird, an obvious patch of adult type coverts can be seen contrasting with the retained juvenile ones. Would have been nice to see the juvenile greater coverts, I’m not sure why they are not visible, maybe they are being moulted judging by the fresh adult type inner most greater coverts which are visible. It’s also disappointing not being able to get a good take on perceived leg length against body size, have you got other shots that show the legs cleanly with the body side on. Possible points in favour of young Swinhoes might be the overall darkness of those juvenile tertials and also the fresh median coverts moulted in, photos I have on file for first year Latham’s in October still have a full set of juv wing coverts however Swinhoe’s juvs typically have fresh coverts in October. What was it when viewing this bird that prompted you to consider it possibly different to Latham’s, was it that the rear end diddn’t look long enough. It’s hard to judge rear end from a single image and I have recently been caught out making a judgement from one image. It’s tempting to say it looks slightly shorter ended but we are looking at a young bird. Would love to see more photos.
Cheers Jeff.