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Today's mystery bird for you to identify

This Ethiopian mystery bird is notable amongst birds for its colour

Mystery Bird photographed at Lake Zway, Ethiopia. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]

Image: Dan Logen, 6 February 2011 (with permission) [velociraptorize].
NIkon D300, 600 mm lens, f/5, 1/320 sec, ISO 1000

This Ethiopian mystery bird is notable amongst birds for its colour. Can you tell me what is so remarkable about this? Can you tell me the name of this bird's taxonomic family? Can you identify this species? In my opinion, this bird's common name is really strange: who is the Australian philosopher?

About the Daily Mystery Bird:

The Rules:

1. Keep in mind that people live in zillions of different time zones around the globe, and some people are following on their mobile phones. So let everyone play the game. Wait to identify the bird until 24 to 36 hours after it's been published.
2. If you know the bird's identity, provide subtle hints to let others know that you know. Your hints may be helpful as small clues to less experienced players.
3. Describe the key field marks that distinguish this species from any similar ones.
4. Comments that spoil others' enjoyment may be deleted.

The Game:

1. This is meant to be a learning experience where together we learn a few things about birds and about the process of identifying them (and maybe about ourselves, too).
2. Each mystery bird is usually accompanied by a question or two. These questions can be useful for identifying the pictured species, but may instead be used to illustrate an interesting aspect of avian biology, behaviour or evolution, or may be intended to generate conversation on other topics, such as conservation or ethics.
3. Thoughtful comments will add to everyone's enjoyment, and will keep the suspense going until the next teaser is published. Interesting snippets may add to the knowledge of all.
4. Each bird species will be demystified approximately 48 hours after publication.




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