Quiz #470 (2012-4-02) Solution

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Solution by Tony Leukering

[I apologize for the tardiness in getting the recent solutions posted, but I am currently working in Texas away from Internet access, so I'm getting to them as I can.]

A black waterbird with greenish legs and white in the undertail coverts leaves us just two options, Fulica americana and Gallinula galeata. Were the head raised, this one would be a no-brainer, but we cannot see the bird's bill, so must use other cues to come to the correct ID. While the bird's head looks distinctly blacker than the rest of the dark plumage, the quiz bird also sports the white side stripe and whitish vent area typical of the latter of our two options. The primary reason for running this quiz pic, though, was terminological, not, as my friend, Glen, might say, identificational. I am just a wee bit surprised that I received no answers of "Common Moorhen." Considering the fairly recent split of Common Moorhen into an Old World species (Common Moorhen) and a New World species (Common Gallinule), I am pleased with the respondents this week.

Larry Semo took this picture of a Commmon Gallinule at Wakulla Springs State Park, Wakulla Co., FL, on 27 January 2011. Larry, I still miss ya, scamp.

Incorrect species provided as answers:
American Coot - 1

Congratulations to the 17 of 18 respondents getting the quiz correct:
Pam Myers
Tyler Bell
Patty McKelvey
Kirk Huffstater
Margaret Smith
Peter Wilkinson
Donald Jones
Joshua Little
Su Snyder
Ben Coulter
Logan Kahle
Robert McNab
Nick Komar
Richard Jeffers
Bryan Guarente
Margie Joy
Joe Bens

Answer: Common Gallinule

Quiz #469 (2012-4-01) Solution

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Solution by Tony Leukering

[I apologize for the tardiness in getting the recent solutions posted, but I am currently working in Texas away from Internet access, so I'm getting to them as I can.]

This quiz bird's tail shape takes us to the square-tailed doves, as we can eliminate pigeons from consideration by the extensive white tail tip. Thus, our choices are Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-winged Dove, Spotted Dove, and White-tipped Dove. Spotted Dove can be quickly eliminated by that species' tawny-pink underparts. White-tipped Dove is a shorter, squatter bird with a very short tail, unlike that of our quiz bird. Differentiating Eurasian Collared-Dove and White-winged Dove is an under-appreciated ID problem, in my opinion, hence this quiz.

Eurasian Collared-Dove's tail pattern is well-known as an ID point, but some often forget that it is useful in differentiating it from African Collared-Dove. However, its tail pattern is surprisingly similar to that of White-winged Dove: blackish base, extensive white tip. Additionally, in certain postures, White-winged Dove can appear to have Eurasian Collared-Dove's black extension down the outer web of the outermost tail feather. But, our quiz bird's blue facial skin and orange iris confirm it as a White-winged Dove. The apparent Eurasian Collared-Dove tail pattern is created by the bird's right r5 (fifth rectrix on right) peeking out from behind its right r6. I took this picture of a White-winged Dove in Pueblo, Pueblo Co., CO, on 25 January 2012.

Incorrect species provided as answers:
Eurasian Collared-Dove - 1

Congratulations to the 18 of 19 getting the quiz correct:
Pam Myers
Nick Komar
Debbie Barnes
Ben Coulter
Tyler Bell
Robert McNab
Margaret Smith
Donald Jones
Logan Kahle
Su Snyder
Gary Koehn
Kirk Huffstater
Richard Jeffers
Margie Joy
Peter Wilkinson
Joe Bens
Bryan Guarente
Sean Walters

Answer: White-winged Dove