Two rare lifebirds at Masinloc Photo Gallery by romy ocon at pbase.com

Two rare lifebirds at Masinloc

After the passage of tropical storm "Huaning," the sun shone through an overcast today (August 15, 2005). I predicted that birds along the mountain trail up to Coto mines would be more active in trying to forage for food after almost a week of heavy rains.

I was not wrong. I was rewarded with two rare lifebirds (Plain Martin* and the Japanese Paradise-Flycatcher). Interesting shots of a Lesser Coucal and close-up pics of the Pied Bushchat complete this nice birding day.

*See comments on ID revision below.

IMG_4251.JPG Japanese Paradise-Flycatcher Scientific name - Terpsiphone atrocaudata Habitat - rare in Luzon, understory of forest and forest edge. [20D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG)]	IMG_2661.jpg Plain Martin Scientific name - Riparia paludicola Habitat - Uncommon locally along rivers and lakes. [350D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG)]	IMG_2654.jpg Plain Martin Scientific name - Riparia paludicola Habitat - Uncommon locally along rivers and lakes. [350D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG)]	IMG_2663.jpg Plain Martin Scientific name - Riparia paludicola Habitat - Uncommon locally along rivers and lakes. [350D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG)]	IMG_2682.jpg Plain Martin Scientific name - Riparia paludicola Habitat - Uncommon locally along rivers and lakes. [350D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG)]
IMG_4225.jpg Lesser Coucal Scientific name - Centropus bengalensis Habitat - Grassland and open country. [20D + 400 5.6L, hand held]	IMG_2583.jpg Lesser Coucal Scientific name - Centropus bengalensis Habitat - Grassland and open country. [350D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG), 80 meters distance]	IMG_2590.jpg Lesser Coucal Scientific name - Centropus bengalensis Habitat - Grassland and open country. [350D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG), 80 meters distance]	IMG_2546.jpg Pied Bushchat Scientific name - Saxicola caprata Habitat - Drier open country, grasslands and cultivated areas at all elevations. [350D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG)]	IMG_2558.jpg Pied Bushchat Scientific name - Saxicola caprata Habitat - Drier open country, grasslands and cultivated areas at all elevations. [350D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG)]
IMG_2640.jpg Pied Bushchat Scientific name - Saxicola caprata Habitat - Drier open country, grasslands and cultivated areas at all elevations. [350D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG)]	IMG_4236.jpg White-throated Kingfisher Scientific name - Halcyon smyrnensis Habitat - Clearings, along large streams and rivers, and in open country. [20D + 400 5.6L, hand held]

comment |

romy ocon		24-Aug-2005 13:54
The ID of the Martins appearing in this gallery is now revised to PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludica), after a panel of experts on Philippine birds has reached a consensus. I took the liberty of quoting below their expert opinion: "CONSENSUS ON THE PLAIN MARTIN IDENTIFICATION - Desmond Allen, Steve Pryor, Arne Jensen and Tim Fisher "The first photo of the martin posted on Romy's website shows two rusty coloured birds with significant but weak breast bands. The throats and belly look rather white. This gave an early indication of possible Sand Martin, though certainly not typical as they, at least normally, have very distinct breast bands. "Moreover, Sand Martin is known to be rare in the Philippines with very few records and as yet has not been recorded before October. Could they be juveniles? Published photoguides from Japan show juvenile Sand Martins in August with much more broadly fringed feathers on the upperparts and much more distinct breast bands - and they were still in Japan in late August. "When the other photos were posted it became clear that the orginal photo was not at all typical and how cautious one needs to be when identifying from photos. The colour is dull brown and the throats are dusky. We can see many other individuals that are essentially identical but in which any breast band is indistinct and importantly grades off down the belly only gradually becoming white. There is no sharp contrasting line at the lower limit of the breast band or downwardly pointing mark in the centre of the chest as is typical of Sand Martin, but is exactly right for Plain Martin. "One photo shows a Pacific Swallow next to a martin. The swallow has its head turned but it is clearly much bigger than the martin - I estimate 1.2-1.3 times as long. This is right for Plain Martin but not for Sand Martin which should be only marginally smaller - the swallow should only be 1.05 times the length of a Sand Martin. "Kennedy et al mention a blackish brown spot before the eye for Plain Martin only, and photos of known Sand Martin do not show this feature. It is present in all the photos of the Masinloc birds. One photo shows the undewing parttern cleary. Here we can see the underwing coverts do not contrast much with the flight feathers - again typical of Plain but not Sand Martin. A picture in Robson's birds of southeast Asia matches this flight photo very well. "So in summary the we believe these birds are Plain Martins based on likelihood of occurrence, time of occurrence, size, lack of distinct breast band, lack of contrast in the underparts with grading of grey-brown from throat becoming darker then gradually lighter on belly, underwing pattern and dark spot in front of eye. "We would like to thank Rasmus Bogh for his opinion: ">This photo was particularly difficult as the perched bird appears to >show a significant - though weak - breast band and the throat looks >like it is near white. The other more typical photos show all the >characters of Plain Martin. " Initial discussion on the ID is on this page: http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/47718723

romy ocon		15-Aug-2005 14:17
Thanks, Ron. Looking forward to shooting birds with you.

Ron S. Bernardo		15-Aug-2005 11:09
Very good catch, Romy. I have been a bird watcher here in Canada for almost two years, but I always learned a lot from your galleries. VOTED!

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