Outdoor Ontario

Request for Information => Bird ID => Topic started by: BetCrooks on October 23, 2015, 09:49:31 PM

Title: Merlin says its a Swainson's Thrush: Agree/Disagree
Post by: BetCrooks on October 23, 2015, 09:49:31 PM

I had no idea what this one was since I never saw the front of the bird etc. It was at the Rattray Marsh on Oct 13, sitting in a sun-warmed spot near grape vines and shrubs but also not far from a bird feeder. There was a mixed group of cardinals, robins, and various sparrows in the same immediate area.

I used the Merlin program and it suggested a Swainson's thrush. That seems reasonable to me but I'm not an expert. What does anyone here think?

[attachment=0:31g5t7d3]mysterybeigebird.jpg[/attachment:31g5t7d3]

Title: Re: Merlin says its a Swainson's Thrush: Agree/Disagree
Post by: Reuven_M on October 24, 2015, 09:47:37 AM

You're right

Title: Re: Merlin says its a Swainson's Thrush: Agree/Disagree
Post by: BetCrooks on October 24, 2015, 12:24:17 PM

Thanks!

Title: Re: Merlin says its a Swainson's Thrush: Agree/Disagree
Post by: Brian Bailey on October 26, 2015, 06:48:44 AM

Wow! Merlin really is a magician! I've never tried it, but I was sceptical of how well it would do with an image like this.


BB

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Title: Re: Merlin says its a Swainson's Thrush: Agree/Disagree
Post by: BetCrooks on October 26, 2015, 07:46:28 AM

I test it often because it says that it will improve if used so I often try images where I know what the bird is. There are times when it comes up with absurd suggestions but it's an interesting experiment. I'd prefer a program, though, that can id a bird based only on undertail coverts and other hind views from beneath, since that seems to be the most common way I see (and photograph) birds!