Good morning all thanks jsb for setting up this thread to help indenity chicks. Also thanks to everyone else who has contributed. Will keep referring to this in the hope I can get it right at least some of the time.
Margobird
One other way of helping to identify chicks is by stance. All birds have their own invidual ways of standing and that can help a lot. I find that chick #3 is easy to ID when it is standing up and we are viewing its right side. It always looks very white.
ChloeB and Tiger's data site ? Link to the Important Loch Garten Links
Some pics of #1's head markings:
(On the right in this last one - looking just like his dad)
I took this pic this morning of all three in a row ... I can't identify them, but somebody else will be able to!
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
Head shots of #2.
2a with tail of fish.
2b right side.
2c left side, needs better shot.
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site
Sat track schedule.
LG May 8, data (2pt) every 7 days. SWT every 3 days from Mar16
Believe this to be #3 as he's been flappping & can't fly yet-----
Barbara Jean Lindybird Yes, think that's right - but it is very hard to tell them apart isn't it, this year? Here is a pic of what I think is #One, practicing --but not sure which one is on the right, watching. Could be #3, as #2 has more white around the eye. The one on the nest flapping it's wings has to be #3. I can see the feet of #1 flying over head That would make the one on the right #2 I can't explain it but #3's eyes look different to me
Lindybird Yes, think that's right - but it is very hard to tell them apart isn't it, this year? Here is a pic of what I think is #One, practicing --but not sure which one is on the right, watching. Could be #3, as #2 has more white around the eye.
Yes, think that's right - but it is very hard to tell them apart isn't it, this year?
Here is a pic of what I think is #One, practicing
--but not sure which one is on the right, watching. Could be #3, as #2 has more white around the eye.
The one on the nest flapping it's wings has to be #3. I can see the feet of #1 flying over head
That would make the one on the right #2
I can't explain it but #3's eyes look different to me
think I've made another Booboo with this posting,
The mind is like a parachute, it doesn't work if it's not open.
Tiger One other way of helping to identify chicks is by stance. All birds have their own individual ways of standing and that can help a lot. I find that chick #3 is easy to ID when it is standing up and we are viewing its right side. It always looks very white.
One other way of helping to identify chicks is by stance. All birds have their own individual ways of standing and that can help a lot. I find that chick #3 is easy to ID when it is standing up and we are viewing its right side. It always looks very white.
I agree Tiger. Also if there are only #2 & # 3 on the nest then #2 is easy to identify by the way it holds it's head. #'s 1 & 3 hold their heads erect like Odin. In profile view #'s 1 & 3 look like Odin
#2 seems to carry it's head down
In addition to the white on the side/top of #2's head it is larger , has darker feathers and on a side view it has less white "edging" on it's wing feathers.
It is also usually the first "flat down" on the nest if there is an alarm call. :)
Formerly known as Barbara Jean
jsb Field identification of individual ospreys using head marking pattern. This abstract comes from a book 'Wildlife Management', this may offer us the best option I have seen so far for helping to identify our chicks in the future, if by chance a sighting in suitable circumstances does occur, post-migration. Abstract: Indentification of individual birds in the field is difficult and usually requires capture and handling. With some species, capture can be impossible, harmful, or prohibited. In these cases an alternative means of identification is warranted. We analysed the pattern of the black marks that appear on the dorsal aspect of the head in osprey. Variation existed among individuals and it was possible to identify individuals because black marks were distinct in size, shape and number. Head marks changed only slightly from year to year, which allowed individual identification in the field without disturbing the birds. End quote. 'dorsal' refers in our case to the top or back area of the head. Many have already noted these very differences in our chicks. I would therefore invite you to add to the blog with first hand observations, with illustrations, but also without if you prefer. Thank you for your co-operation, which should enable us to come to an agreed position. Even when the birds have all fully fledged and image capture will be more difficult, we have a vast library of images, both personal and on these webpages to fall back on. http://www.jstor.org/pss/3809565
Field identification of individual ospreys using head marking pattern.
This abstract comes from a book 'Wildlife Management', this may offer us the best option I have seen so far for helping to identify our chicks in the future, if by chance a sighting in suitable circumstances does occur, post-migration.
Abstract: Indentification of individual birds in the field is difficult and usually requires capture and handling. With some species, capture can be impossible, harmful, or prohibited. In these cases an alternative means of identification is warranted. We analysed the pattern of the black marks that appear on the dorsal aspect of the head in osprey. Variation existed among individuals and it was possible to identify individuals because black marks were distinct in size, shape and number. Head marks changed only slightly from year to year, which allowed individual identification in the field without disturbing the birds.
End quote.
'dorsal' refers in our case to the top or back area of the head.
Many have already noted these very differences in our chicks. I would therefore invite you to add to the blog with first hand observations, with illustrations, but also without if you prefer. Thank you for your co-operation, which should enable us to come to an agreed position. Even when the birds have all fully fledged and image capture will be more difficult, we have a vast library of images, both personal and on these webpages to fall back on.
http://www.jstor.org/pss/3809565
Head shots and other shots of #1, from today's Daily Update, many thanks to those who posted.
#1 on right side.
more photos to post, but site is refusing to take them at present, will try later.
More captures of #1, continued from above..........
Captures of #2
..........and thanks again to those who provided these shots.
Tiger's index threads
DjoanS I took this pic this morning of all three in a row ... I can't identify them, but somebody else will be able to! From left to right we have Middle juve Youngest (in the middle :) ) and Eldest on the right.
From left to right we have Middle juve Youngest (in the middle :) ) and Eldest on the right.
One other thing which can help with ID is the shape of the feet. All ospreys have different shaped feet.