thornbill or gerygone

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stevehapp
stevehapp's picture
thornbill or gerygone

I cant seem to work out which this is?
I am thinking Brown Thornbill but its missing striations on cheek.
But it does not really fit into Brown Gerygone either.
I am stumped.
Location: Glenrock Lagoon, Newcastle.
Could you help id this bird, please.
,

.
cheers,
steve

DenisWilson
DenisWilson's picture

Hi Steve

It looks just right for a Brown Gerygone to me.
Apart from anything, the pose is exactly right for the photo in the BiBY site. I know pose is a mere incidental, but some birds have a certain habit about them which can give those little extra clues.
Gerygones tend to have red eyes, so that's a fit.
Relatively short tail is good too.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/27/2637525.htm
It doesn't have the heavy striped throat of a Brown Thornbill and most importantly, it lacks the tiny scallop, marks on the forehead.

Remember the voice is very different.
Light calls vs deep throated call of B. Thornbill.
Also it is a hoverer (often) whereas the Thornbill is a bird which jumps and climbs around inside the lower levels of the shrubbery, looking to pounce upon insects.
Cheers
Denis
.

stevehapp
stevehapp's picture

Thanks Denis, I suspected the Brown Gerygone, but did not want to convict him without enough evidence..
:)
He was hovering a bit at times..
,
cheers,
steve

DenisWilson
DenisWilson's picture

Hi Steve

It is always the little behavioural things which give them away.

Cheers

Denis

heva1
heva1's picture

Hey Steve, lovely shot.What a poser!

Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best

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