MacMe 90 Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 It is my understanding that the bill of a Greater YL is longer than the width of the head and is slightly upturned. Whereas, the bill of a Lesser YL is as long as the head is wide and is straight. The bill in this picture looks straight and longer than the width of the head... Also, it was making a peculiar bobbing motion with its body. Reminded me of those toys depicting a bird bending over to "drink" water. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelLong 516 Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 Greater, if you can see a nostril it's a Greater 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Spencer 4,036 Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 And the upturn isn't always easily noticed. Go with the length; it's more reliable. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Leukering 4,083 Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 As ML pointed out, Greater has a pale base to the bill that typically makes the nostrils easy to see. The black bill base of Lesser hides the nostrils. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MacMe 90 Posted November 23, 2020 Author Share Posted November 23, 2020 Cool, I didn't know about the nostril. Thanks. What about that bobbing motion? Was it trying to scare prey into moving, thereby revealing their location? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaron 914 Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 (edited) There was one study done a while ago on the tail pumping of some passerine species and it was determined it was a form predator deference. As in the tail bobbing somehow singled to a would be predator that the bird saw it, or something. Though other reports have found that it sometimes has a use in flushing prey. Not sure if that directly translates to these guys, but I know they bob their head when a predator is near.... Edited November 23, 2020 by Aaron 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MacMe 90 Posted November 23, 2020 Author Share Posted November 23, 2020 13 hours ago, Aaron said: There was one study done a while ago on the tail pumping of some passerine species and it was determined it was a form predator deference. As in the tail bobbing somehow singled to a would be predator that the bird saw it, or something. Though other reports have found that it sometimes has a use in flushing prey. Not sure if that directly translates to these guys, but I know they bob their head when a predator is near.... It was definitely bobbing at the hip, not just the tail or head, and it absolutely knew I was there. I don't know if it was bobbing before it saw me, though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Seanbirds 1,795 Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 (edited) On 11/23/2020 at 12:08 PM, MacMe said: It was definitely bobbing at the hip, not just the tail or head, and it absolutely knew I was there. I don't know if it was bobbing before it saw me, though Nice Shot! I need to get some better ones of them! Edited November 24, 2020 by Seanbirds 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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