This bird had me baffled for months...
Any birder will tell you that identifying birds can be tricky and difficult. About half a year ago I took this picture in the coastal area near Paramaribo. As a beginner birder it's always exciting to find out what one photographed that day but I could not identify this one. That frustrated me completely because, although this picture is not that great, the black head, black eyes, black bill and the grey wings should make this bird easy to identify. I've looked at every bird that can be found in Suriname many times but to no avail. I was thinking to ask Steemit for help and when I looked at the picture again, it suddenly hit me: I have seen this bird before.
It's the Black-crested Antshrike. Here we see both female and male together. The male on the right has indeed a black head, bill and eyes but the female has a brown head and a grey bill. The online bird guide that I was using showed the female as the the thumbnail, that's how I missed it.
In this picture you can see why it's called a black-crested antshrike. But in my picture the crest is hardly visible. Another reason why it took me so long to connect the dots.
Alas, not another species to add to my list but a mystery solved.
Much love,
Gardenbsquared
Great work on IDing this bird. Getting the photo was the key for you. Birds that tend to stay partly hidden in vegetation are often a dilema. Listening for call notes, observing behavior, and learning the minor plumage features are all helpful. Keep up the curiosity and study. Congratulations.
Thank you. To spot a bird, one first has to know it. Then it becomes much easier even if it's far away or hidden. I'll not forget this one.
Where I live I am fortunate to hear beautiful birdsong throughout the day mixed with the breeze rustling through the leaves.
I spotted an owl the other day roosting in a nearby derelict barn and was as excited as could be.
Happy twitching.
xox
Birds and nature are real blessings. Great to spot an owl. They are fascinating birds.
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