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Here are the results of challenge #32.

We had 14 ‘mites taking part.

One ‘mite scored 5;
two ‘mites scored 6;
four ‘mites scored 7;
three scored 8;
three scored 9;
and we had one who got all the answers right.

Overall the challenge returned an average score of 75.7%.

Thanks again to those 'mites who so diligently add explanatory notes with their IDs. :clap:

#1 – Burchell's Coucal, a juvenile bird [3] . Very few got this ID right, I think simply because of the obvious features displayed by this bird caused a knee-jerk ID. However, some deeper delving was required here. Due to the barring on the wings and the light-coloured bill one knows that the bird is a youngster, therefore BC is also a distinct possibility because juvenile Burchell’s coucals also show that heavy white eyebrow. The trick was to ELIMINATE White-browed coucal from the equation. If I had given a hint to distribution, the call would have been much easier. WBCs have another distinct feature that cannot be seen on our challenge bird: that is the very obvious, heavy white streaking on the back of the neck and shoulders.

Here is an example of WBC

#2 – African Harrier-Hawk (pale Juvenile) [12] . The bald facial skin normally alerts the observer to the identity of the bird.

#3 – Southern White-crowned Shrike [14] . Too easy!

#4 – Lesser Masked-weaver [11] . The pale eye would rule out all other weavers this bird can be confused with.

#5 – Lanner Falcon [8] . Mostly confused with Peregrine falcon. Hint of the pale brown crown can just be seen in the pic. Also, the “tear” mark of the facial mask is too narrow for a PF.

#6 – Red-billed Quelea [14] . Way too easy!

#7 – Great Spotted Cuckoo [14] didn’t test you at all.

ANSWERS TO THE TWISTS

T1 – What is the matter with this bird's legs?

Large size

Scaly leg mites, Knemidocoptes mutans [8] . mel123 wrote: I think its caused by scaly leg mites. It is caused by a parasitic mite, Knemidocoptes mutans. The mite burrows under the scales in the bird's legs, but may also infest other areas, such as the comb or wattles of chickens. The mite spends its entire lifecycle on the birds and is usually spread by direct contact. The condition can lead to loss of toes and sometimes even limbs. Badly affected birds will loose condition and eventually die of malnutrition.

T2 – What benefits do satellite tracking technology hold for ornithologists?
The advantage of satellite tracking technology is that it allows observers to obtain spatially explicit information about animal movements and their habitat use, both of which are fundamental for conservation. [12] . Most ‘mites got a good understanding of what satellite tracking does for research.

T3 – What does xanthochroic refer to?

Xanthochroic is the name used to describe an unusually high level of yellow pigmentmentation. [12] . tosha wrote:It is relatively common in birds, fish and other animals whose colouration is unusually yellow through an excess of yellow pigment, or possibly a loss of darker pigments that allows yellow pigment to be unusually dominant. It is often associated with the lack of usual red pigmentation and its replacement with yellow. The cause is usually genetic but may also be caused by diet.

Read this thread to see an example. :roll: