So, eventually I have summarised all the entries and the results can be published. My apologies for the long wait!
#15 of 2012 returned an average score of only 49%, by a huge margin the toughest challenge to date.
The results are as follows:
One ‘mite scored 0
one scored 1
three scored 2
eight scored 3
three scored 4
two scored 5
No one got all IDs correct.
So, here are the answers for challenge #11 for 2012...
Large view#1 – Black-chested prinia, breeding
[10] .: the bold eye brow and lack of russet on the wing distinguishes it from tawny-flanked.
Large view#2 – Agulhas long-billed
[9] .
mel123 wrote:
the eyebrow doesn't extend from the base of the bill, so not Shortclawed, upperparts not reddish, eliminating Karoo, Benguela and Eastern longbilled. The bill seems too short to be Cape Longbilled. The long tail and hint of streaking that can be seen on the flanks preclude spike-heeled lark. The diffuse facial mask and bill size and shape is shown well in this pic. Together with the fine streaking on the flanks (not heavy), dark brown feather centres on buffy mantle, the Cape long-billed lark (that has a HUGE bill) is excluded. Sasol guide probably has the best illustration, but you will do better getting photographic comparisons.
Large view #3 – Southern bald ibis chick
[3] . Most of you started looking at the right family! The bill is the first clue that it is an ibis. The size of the chick (compared to the man’s hands) precludes most hornbills. The lack of a hump on the bill near the scull precludes
ground hornbill. The head and neck is feathered pale grey and the bill has a flesh-coloured tip with dark grey base, diagnostic for SBI. A
Sacred Ibis chick shows mostly white feathers with black speckling/streaking. A
Hadeda has an all-dark bill and a
Glossy Ibis shows a pink bill with base, middle band and tip black; sooty-brown head/neck feathering and is faintly mottled white on the face, crown and fore-neck. It is also much smaller in size.
Large view#4 – Amethyst Sunbird (f)
[11] . Only the female Scarlet-chested and the Amethyst sunbird show a fairly distinct bib. The Amethyst fem is also the only sunbird with a discernable eyebrow

#5 – Red-backed shrike
[4] . When I posted this pic I had no idea that it would be so difficult to ID. Admittedly, size is difficult to judge and that would have thrown a lot of you off. Seven ‘mites thought it was a coucal… The upright giss disqualifies coucal. Also the bill depth is way too shallow. Five had this as a tchagra… with horizontal barring of a young male shrike on its flanks? This bird was braving a torrential downpour and not doing a good job of keeping dry, hence the weird “hairdo”.

#6 – African Pygmy Kingfisher
[17] . With only one incorrect answer, there were no issues with this ID.