GAME: name that bird!

[Galana]

Welcome back.

I am not sure if I have ever seen a Cowbird and the only Cowboy was in a Western.

Interestingly Brown-headed Cowbird is on the European list.

Not Giant Cowbird. Sorry.

[inyathi]

@GalanaI think you have a knack for capturing birds from odd angles, providing perfect photos for this game, I decided to wait for someone else to have a go, before making my suggestion, now that someone has, I will say is it a black coucal (Centropus grillii)?

[Galana]

5 hours ago, inyathi said:

@GalanaI think you have a knack for capturing birds from odd angles,

It's just a natural talent as members of the Big Years will (un)happily testify.

And who knows if we ever get to travel far again it could have a bearing on my photographic 'skills'?

Instead of muttering "move yer bloody head darn you" I may curse it for posing in full sun on a leafless twig.

 

And as you may have gathered it is not a Black Coucal. Sorry. grillii Sounds like it comes with cooking instructions.

[Soukous]

a Drongo of some sort, but I can't match the tail

[Galana]

2 hours ago, Soukous said:

a Drongo of some sort,

Sorry. Not a Drongo.

[Galana]

23 hours ago, inyathi said:

I will say is it a black coucal (Centropus grillii)?

The likeness is uncanny and this worried me so much I have had to go back and check the photo sequence just to be sure.  There is a difference between a misleading photograph and a misleading poster.

Happily I am in the clear. It is what it says on the tin. Keep em coming. It is 'out there' for you.

[Soukous]

A Sooty Boubou

Could it be a Black Cuckoo?

Edited May 4, 2021 by Soukous

[Galana]

It's not a Cuckoo.

[Soukous]

Just now, Galana said:

It's not a Cuckoo.

yeah, I knew that really. 

[Galana]

It's not a Sooty Boubou either.

[Pictus Safaris]

Maybe a boubou of a different variety? Perhaps slaty/slate-coloured?

[Galana]

4 hours ago, Pictus Safaris said:

Perhaps slaty/slate-coloured?

No perhaps about it. That's what it is.

Seen unusually clearly for a skulker on 2nd January 2015 in Tsavo East close to Lugard Falls on our drive from Ithumba Camp to the Mwamba Field Study Centre, Malindi.

 

Over to you and commiserations to @Soukousfor his near miss. Unbelievably unlucky.

[Pictus Safaris]

Thanks @Galana, and apologies @Soukous

 

I've given up looking for a difficult one, and have instead opted for one of my favourite species.

[Galana]

If I am correct with my first try it is a Fail for Galana's Law. It is flesh and blood and neither Stone nor a true Partridge.

Stone Partridge I think.

[Soukous]

12 hours ago, Galana said:

commiserations to @Soukousfor his near miss. Unbelievably unlucky.

 

I almost went back to the Boubous after you saying it was not the Sooty, but was too slow. Well done Tom

[Pictus Safaris]

1 hour ago, Galana said:

If I am correct with my first try it is a Fail for Galana's Law. It is flesh and blood and neither Stone nor a true Partridge.

Stone Partridge I think.

 

Correct indeed. Photographed in Niokolo-Koba NP, Senegal. After tracking wild dogs for a month straight, I can't tell you how much these sound like dogs running through leaf litter when they're scratching around in the undergrowth. They're also fond of sheltering under stretcher beds and bursting out as you lie down for an afternoon nap. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure why I like them so much!

 

Over to you @Galana

[Galana]

7 hours ago, Soukous said:

I almost went back to the Boubous after you saying it was not the Sooty,

I went as close to 'hinting' as I dared.

[Soukous]

33 minutes ago, Galana said:

I went as close to 'hinting' as I dared.

 

I realise that NOW 

[Galana]

Well I think maybe time for a somewhat easier offering.

[mvecht]

@Galana Rufous- tailed Palm Thrush looks like a good candidate but I am not sure you have visited its typical range.

[Galana]

My selection certainly does have more than a passing resemblance to your guess.

[mvecht]

16 hours ago, Galana said:

My selection certainly does have more than a passing resemblance to your guess.

 

Just to make sure. Do you agree on the ID?

[Galana]

Yes. It is one of the many Rufous-tailed Palm Thrushes that sing and entertain guests and tourists along the Kunene River in Northern Namibia. No need to venture into Angola or further north.

Just buy a beer in the lovely Kunene River Camp or one in Epupa and sit there. One of the few enigmatic and sought after birds that do not require you to suffer hardship on long and wearying treks to where they can be found. You don't even need mossie repellent.

The only hardship is leaving the lovely places at the end of your stay.

Over to you @mvecht

[mvecht]

@Galana I have not been to that corner of Namibia but it is on my list.

This bird should be quite easy to ID.

 

[Soukous]

Brahminy Starling I think