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This is the results of challenge #21 of 2012. Too easy! Overall the challenge returned an average score of 86.5%

We had 20 ‘mites taking part.

The results are as follows:
Two ‘mites scored 6;
one ‘mites scored 7;
three ‘mites scored 8;
ten scored 9;
and four ‘mites got all the answers right.

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

#1 – African paradise-flycatcher [18] . Not many ‘mites got caught here.

#2 – Gabar Goshawk [16] pantera leo points out the salient features: Overall barred appearance combined with the red legs and cere. There's also a white trailing edge visible on the secondaries which is another good pointer for this species.

#3a – Lesser Honeyguide [19] . Unfortunately if you didn’t get the honeyguide, you would obviously battle with the brood parasite questions. To me it was very pleasing to see so many ‘mites get this ID right.
#3b – Yellow-fronted Canary [19] . Not much trouble here…

#4 – South African shelduck Male [19] . Everyone got this ID.

#5 – Swee Waxbill female [18] . Another easy one.

#6 – Spotted Eagle Owl (rufous form) [13] . This was the toughest ID challenge and again you guys and gals did very well in making a tough call. Mutorashanga says the supporting features were yellow eyes, plumage appearing to be grey rather than brown... The orange eyes of a Cape eagle-owl leans towards the red end of the scale while the rufous form spottie’s eyes are strictly speaking also orange, but on the yellow end of the scale. Although a tough feature to use here because of the limited view that can only just be detected; the under-wing pattern for a Capey is much lighter than for the spottie whose dark under-wing bars are much broader

Bonus points:

Q#1 – From the birds featured above, which is a brood parasite?

The honeyguide. [/b][/color] [19]

Q#2 – What is the survival tactic used by these birds to ensure their sole survival in a nest?
davejenny quotes from Beat About the Bush - Birds :The chicks of Honeyguides have specialised hooks on the end of their mandibles used to attack and kill the host siblings in the nest in which it has hatched

Some ‘mites also metioned that the honeyguide mother ensures her chick hatches first by internally incubating the egg for an extra day before laying it, so it has a head start in development compared to the host. This is, however, not the whole story, as she must observe the host to make sure that she does not lay her eggs in a nest with a clutch of eggs that are just about to hatch. The ability to move around for a whole day with an egg ready to be laid when the right conditions are found, that is the real advantage! [17]

Q#3 – Which of the featured birds maintain a crèche where the young from multiple broods (of different parents) are cared for by one or more adults?

Shelduck [13] hilda wrote : Within days of hatching, the young are led from the nest to 'nursery water' by both parents or sometimes by other adults. This distance can be a kilometre or two! In the nursery there are several young from other shelducks together under the care of one or more adults. The nursery group (or crèche) varies in size and age range (a normal size crèche is 20-40 individuals, but some groups of 100 have been recorded). Scientists believe the nursery supervisors are failed breeders or non-breeders.