ID CHALLENGE 13 June 2020: P Plater by Sonja Ross
I photographed these birds on one of the walkways at Fogg Dam near Darwin.
Solution:
Well done again! It is indeed an adult and young Broad-billed Flycatcher Myiagra ruficollis.
The location of near Darwin was an important clue as the pale lores mentioned by Annette are apparently only a reliable id feature in the N.T. and Kimberley of WA, as eastern birds don’t show this reliably. A less obvious clue was the more precise location of a walkway at Fogg Dam and the dim lighting in the photo, as they are a bird of the mangroves.
The broad bill for which they are named is a difficult id feature as you really need to be looking at the bill from underneath to see that.
The other id feature isn’t seen in this photo unfortunately, and I didn’t linger once I grabbed the quick shot because of the young bird. That feature is that the tail feathers are graduated i.e. those on the outside are shorter than those in the centre. You might be able to see that in the second photo which I have lightened.
Some great pics and explanations here: https://www.graemechapman.com.au/library/viewphotos.php?c=178
Catarina is probably correct in saying that it’s an adult female, but because of the poor light, I wouldn’t take bets on it!
The young bird seems to be almost an immature as the juvenile ones are apparently more brown, whereas my bird is partially transitioned to grey and is showing definite breast colour.
Comments:
Catarina Gregson: I had to check the ABG for this one, and from that I gather Broad-billed flycatcher female and juvenile.
Annette Clancy: I’ll say Broad-billed Flycatcher as well, because of the pale lores.
Women Birders Australia 