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Click
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Desert
Forktail
Ischnura
barberi
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A composite comparing
Rambur's and Desert Forktails
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We do not
want to oversimplify the identification of the Forktails
(Ischnura) occurring in the southwest! The best way to
positively identify them is "in-hand" with a 10x or
better lense. Close examination of details with binoculars
is helpful. Western Forktail (I. perparva) is similar and
it's range is close to us in SE CA and SW AZ. Mexican
Forktail (I. demorsa) is also similar. (not sure of it's
range).
Desert
Forktail is very similar to Rambur's Forktail, but with "teardrop"
eye spots, thicker pale lines on the side of the thorax and the tops of the middle abdominal segments are more patterned.
They can be found at the New River Wetlands sites but are not as
common there as Rambur's. We find them near marshes and
smaller canals (not large fast water), especially near the Salton
Sea, that have short vegetation growing
close to or overhanging the waters edge.
Last
updated
Sep 8, 2003
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