ID - Notes

Identification of many birds in North-East Asia can be difficult: many birders in the region are unable to get the experience they need to separate similar species, and the published literature can be misleading if not inaccurate.

Even birders visiting Korea who have extensive overseas experience can run into unexpected identification problems.

The identifications discussed below are based on extensive field-experience.

To go to any of the ID Notes please click on the links below.

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Western Water Rail
Rallus Aquaticus
Nial Moores, December 2014
8 photos
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The “Ulleung Woodpecker”
Dendrocopos leucotos takahashii
Nial Moores, November 2014
10 photos, 1 video
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Common Rosefinch:
Korea’s First Roseatus?
Nial Moores, June 2013
5 photos
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Going Cuckoo…
Nial Moores, June 2013
6 photos, 7 sounds
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Consideration of a claimed Western Marsh Harrier
Nial Moores, January 2006
2 photos
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Steppe Gull barabensis
Nial Moores, June 2005
20 photos
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Slaty-backed Gull
Nial Moores, March 2005
27 photos
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East Asian Common Gulls
Nial Moores, December 2004
13 photos
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"Grey Shrikes" in South Korea
Nial Moores, September 2004
15 photos
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Pechora Pipits
Nial Moores, June 2004
16 photos
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Brown Shrike
Nial Moores, Updated November 2004
23 photos
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Meadow Buntings
Nial Moores, April 2004
15 photos
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Slender-billed / Black-headed Gulls
Nial and Charlie Moores, March 2004
12 photos
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A Hybrid Scaup?
Nial Moores, February 2004
4 photos
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Barrow’s Goldeneye
Nial and Charlie Moores, Updated January 2004
12 photos
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Unidentified accipiter:
gularis or badius
Nial Moores, June 2003
6 photos
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Isabelline Wheatear
Nial Moores, May 2003
8 photos, 1 illustration
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3 possible hybrid ducks
Nial Moores, February 2003
12 photos
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Alba / Lugens Wagtails
Nial Moores, 2003
7 photos
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Migratory Raptors ID
Nial Moores, 2003
16 photos
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Unusual Narcissus Flycatcher
Nial Moores, Updated June 2005
10 photos
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Japanese Lark
Nial Moores, Updated March 2003
9 photos, and downloadable calls
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Taiga/Red-breasted Flycatchers
Nial Moores, Updated August 2005, Discussion of first-year identification
18 photos
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The "Herring Gull Assemblage"
Nial Moores, January 2003, Vega, Taimyr, Mongolian Gulls
37 photos
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Naumann’s / Red-throated Thrushes
Nial Moores, November 2002
14 photos

We will be adding to this section of the site many times, and the whole section is intended to be interactive.
Please e-mail idnotes@birdskorea.org. All comments will be posted and acknowledged.