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White Wagtail (lugens)

White Wagtail (lugens)

26.11.2011
Tuen Mun

Male


Is this a subspecies lugens (female) or just a typical ocularis?

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Two birds here. First a male, second a female. Both lugens.

Well done.

GeoffC

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Quote:
Original posted by cgeoff at 9/12/2011 20:51
Two birds here. First a male, second a female. Both lugens.

Well done.

GeoffC
Thank you very much, Geoff!

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Geoff -

What are the key features that enable you to id the second photo as lugens and not ocularis?

Dave

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Hi Dave,

It was the previous discussion about the same topic.  Maybe it can provide some clue (?)
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthread.php?tid=10670

Kitty

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Kitty -

Thanks for the link!

David

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The second bird can be ID'ed as lugens based on the shape of the eye-stripe (broader behing the eye) and the extensive white in the wing coverts. (Be careful of the second feature - ocularis can also have extensive white in the wing, especially males in spring). I think the slightly blue tone to the mantle probably also favours lugens but this may be related to light conditions.

I suspect that lugens is under-recorded in HK because female birds like this are so similar to ocularis - and similarly I wonder if ocularis may be over-recorded in winter!

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Thanks John for the detailed explanation.

Attached one side-view photo, I hope it can show the features more clearly.

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