ML634988320

Detalles de la observación

Educational Minutiae Par II, adult female Mississippi Kite (Part 1, adult male, was on yesterday's checklist). The image with a pair in flight: male left, female right. All images other than the pair are adult female. Images #5 & #6 are the same, #6 being zoomed in to show some of the characteristics described below. Image #7 is a zoomed version of Image #1 to more clearly show the details described by Wheeler. All the details of markings that are used to sex a female are referring to image #1 and Image #7. Wheeler (2004) describes variations in three areas of the adult female: lower belly, UTC & ventral tail. A) Wheeler describes two variations in the lower belly. In this female of images taken today, it would be his "type 2" lower belly: "white ... so as to form a large white patch ahead of the feet when seen in flight." This is clearly seen in this image. B) Wheeler describes three variations of the UTC. This female shows his "type 2" UTC: "White with large gray spots on each feather." This image shows "type 2" very clearly. Type 1 and 3 are quite different. C) Wheeler describes three variations of the ventral surface of the tail, noting "all females have all-white feather quills on the outer rectrix set, which are distinct even at a moderate viewing distance." In this image, the bold, white quill and rachis extend the full length of each r6, unlike the male with a subdued color, grayish, and only appearing in the basal area. This female has Wheeler's "type 1" tail underside he called "Pale Type". If you look closely, you can see how both r6 are pale (more easily seen in Image #7) the full width of the feather, very faint but so distinct it looks like a paint brush was applied to both r6 the exact full length, full width while r1 thru r5 are black. Unlike the faint whitish inner web on r6, the bright rachis stands out boldly. D) The last image, the 7th image, 7366ZOOM is a zoomed in image of the first image to highlight the female adult markings used in sexing. Wheeler's "Type 2 lower belly", his "Type 2 UTC" and his "Type 1 ventral tail" are all clearly seen. The pale r6 (full width, full length) is more visible in Image #7, contrasting with the black of r1 thru r5. The bright near full length rachis, the spotted UTC and the white patch in the lower belly are better seen in this zoomed version.