I received the following identification request from Geoff and Colleen Mullen, can anyone perhaps assist? They’ve also included a stork image, which I’m comfortable is an immature Saddle-billed.

We have 3 different reference books here but cannot be sure of the exact ID of some birds.

Location: we are presently living in Tanzania, photos taken along the Katuma river – either at the river or on the Katisunga plains. The National Park is called KATAVI NATIONAL PARK and is slightly South West of Tanzania.

I have blown up the photos – so could be out of focus and tried to enhance to get the colours to stand out.

First is a Starling….. First book (Birds of Africa – Ian Sinclair and Peter Ryan) says MIOMBA BLUE EARED – as it has a distinct magenta breast – but the other books BIRDS OF EAST AFRICA (Terry Stevenson & John Fanshaw) does not have a Miombo but does have a SOUTHERN BLUE-EARED which is restricted to Miombo woodland, but under GREATER BLUE-EARED has that bird with Magenta breast and flank.

2nd one is a stork – immature for the above mentioned books and from some photos on the web, we feel that the birds are Imm Saddle-billed storks – but some people feel it could be the woolly-necked storks.

Please can you assist in positively identifying these birds – it would be much appreciated.

Thanks Geoff and Colleen for your submission.

David Winter

Dave Bishop posted the following note on SA Birdnet yesterday about a mystery raptor photographed by Carlene Kidwell in Durban:

Hi all – I had an email with an ID request from Carlene Kidwell who is in the Highway area of Durban, which was accompanied by a poor photo. The nearest I could come up with is Ayres which would be unusual here though I seem to recall a recent sighting somewhere in the vicinity.

Here’s Carlene’s photo:

Dave mentioned that the consensus is that it’s a sub-adult Crowned Eagle, with which I agree.

Thanks Dave and Carlene.

David Winter

Any ideas what this bird is? It was taken in the Cape Agulhas region of South Africa earlier this year. Please post any thoughts in the comments section below.